Between Service Delivery And Self Service

Changes in the civil service have been rather phenomenal and for good reason. If for nothing else, time alone changes things. But whether the cardinal principle of service delivery to society could also change to self service needs to be understood.

Everyone expects that over time, things should get better. In fact, society should be cleaner, healthier and finer. This can be seen already at the various offices and secretariats of governments. But should it begin and end there? What about the society in general?

Before anyone tries to puncture that point, we should note the massive effort being made by the Rivers State Government to re-build Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. Again, should it begin and end in the only city in the state?

But that is not the focus of this article. One is constantly confronted with issues bothering on service delivery that the civil service seems not to bother much about. It appears the focus is now on self service more than anything else. The spirit of flamboyance has taken the place of “civil” life. The word servant in their name has lost the original meaning.

Before this time, government vehicles, for instance, come in limited brands. Even in the days of the military, it was only the governors that rode in expensive Citroen cars. In fact, at a time, only the head of state rode in a Mercedes Bens car.

Today, many government ministries, departments and authorities (MDAs) parade exotic cars as their service vehicles. It is almost like competition as many acquire jeeps and other choice cars that only the high and mighty in the society could afford.

Apart from the cost of these vehicles, the money used to maintain them monthly is a drag on public resource that can be used to deliver public service. Also worrisome is the fact that while it is easy to spend millions to buy such cars, the offices lack basic working facilities.

Often, minor maintenance or intervention cannot be done because the offices lack mere tippers, excavators and similar tools that are in constant demand. Yet, some public servants who do next to nothing drive about in exotic cars and make themselves the object of service.

Decades ago, the modesty that characterized the service could be seen in the lifestyle of the civil servants. They lived in quarters, rode Volkswagen or Peogeut cars. Yet, they worked and gave the entire concept of government a great and progressive meaning.

If the point must be made, anyone that wants to drive expensive cars should use his personal money and not  government money. Whoever wants to flaunt wealth must first work for it as a private sector operator and make money. They should not pose in borrowed robes.

Even as many people may be concerned over this matter, who would see it as his duty to call these public servants to order is another question. Is it office of the head of service or the Civil Service Commission? Sadly, everything has to wait for the political head of the state to decide on service issues. Shame!

Unfortunately, while some offices have an array of expensive cars, so many do not have cars for the due discharge of their duties. Even directors that were expressly promised, still do government work jumping buses, running from rains and suffering all indignities. Shame!

Robinson writes from Port Harcourt

Erefaa Robinson