The Federal Government has launched a campaign to stop the leakage of sensitive official documents that have caused public outrage and embarrassment to the administration.
To this end, Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan, issued a memo on February 19, warning all civil servants against leaking and circulating official information and documents.
The memo, which was posted on the website of the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, said that any officer caught engaging in such acts would be severely punished in accordance with the Public Service Rules and other relevant laws.
The memo, tagged HCSF/3065/VI/189, also instructed all permanent secretaries to fast-track the migration to the digitalised workflow system and ensure the effective deployment of the Enterprise Content Management Solution.
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“It has been observed with dismay, the increase in the cases of leakage of sensitive official documents in Ministries, Departments and Agencies. This is very embarrassing to the government and therefore unacceptable.”
“As part of the efforts to curb this undesirable development, all permanent secretaries are to fast-track the migration to the digitalised workflow system, and ensure effective deployment of the Enterprise Content Management Solution,
“This will reduce physical contact with official documents thereby checking the increasing incidence of leakage and circulation of same. Furthermore, permanent secretaries are advised to strongly warn all staff against leaking and circulating official information and documents.
“Any officer caught engaging in such unbecoming act will be severely dealt with in line with the relevant provisions of the Public Service Rules and other extant circulars.”
The move comes after a series of leaks of sensitive government documents in the public space in recent times, which have sparked criticism and controversy among civil society groups, the organised labour, and the general public.
One of the leaked documents was a memo from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, which revealed plans to allocate N500 million to the tripartite committee on minimum wage set up by the Federal Government.
The committee, which comprises representatives of the government, the organised labour, and the private sector, is expected to review the national minimum wage, which is currently N30,000.
