The Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), has recommended the replacement of promotion examination in the civil service with “performance contracting’’ to boost productivity and make Nigeria conform with international standards.

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja last Thursday by Mrs Olubunmi Badejo, the commission’s spokesperson.

According to the statement, Performance Contracts are agreements which hold officers accountable for achieving performance targets, demonstrating appropriate competency levels and ethical behaviour.

The statement said that the recommendation was one of the resolutions contained in the communiqué of the 41st conference of the Civil Service Commission held recently in Port Harcourt.

“The 41st Conference of the Civil Service Commission in the federation has noted the desirability of introducing performance contracting to replace the current promotion examination in conformity with global best practices,’’ it said.

The statement noted that the practice had been successfully implemented in Kenya, South Africa and Malaysia.

According to the statement, performance contracting also enables the setting of specific performance targets in a format that can be effectively measured and monitored to ensure efficient quality service to the people.

“It involves also the recognition and reward for high performance as well as appropriate punitive measures for non-performance.’’

To this end, it has been suggested that the commission should experiment with some ministries.

The statement also called for proper and sufficient budgetary provisions for the civil service commission to enable it execute its constitutional mandate effectively.

“Intensive training and retraining for the development of officers were also crucial to improve their capacities’’.

The conference is held annually to deliberate on issues affecting the federal and state civil service commissions with a view to proffering solutions to them.