Unscheduled visit by Jigawa governor sparks debate on work ethics and public service accountability on Issues That Matter
The recent unscheduled visit by the Governor of Jigawa State to the State Secretariat, during which he reportedly discovered that many government workers were absent from their duty posts, formed the basis of discussion on the latest edition of Issues That Matter with Gesiere on Montage 99.7 FM, Abuja.
The show examined issues surrounding work ethics, accountability in the public service, corruption, and possible reforms to improve productivity in government institutions. During the phone-in segment, listeners shared their views on the matter.
One caller, Daniel, said absenteeism in the workplace reflects a broader societal attitude toward work. According to him, many people do not take their jobs seriously because they believe they will receive their salaries regardless of their level of commitment. He stressed the need for those in authority to implement measures that will promote discipline and accountability across both the public and private sectors.
Another caller, Kizito, attributed the problem to systemic corruption, arguing that poor leadership has contributed to declining standards in public institutions. He recounted a personal experience in a government office where an official allegedly demanded an additional ₦10,000 before rendering a service. According to him, the official only carried out her duties after he confronted her and stated that he had recorded the conversation. These allegations were made by the caller and were not independently verified.
A third caller, Zino, said the country's moral values have steadily declined over time, adding that the problem extends from leadership to lower levels of the workforce. While acknowledging that many public servants remain dedicated to their responsibilities, he called for a comprehensive overhaul of the system, recommending that salaries be linked to employees' performance and advocating the use of biometric attendance systems to improve punctuality and accountability in government offices.
