FG threatens ‘severe sanctions’ on workers leaking documents
The federal government has threatened to sanction civil servants leaking official memos and documents classified as sensitive to the public.
This was contained in a memo on Tuesday signed by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan.
The circular warned of severe sanctions in line with public service rules.
She said the leakage of such documents had become embarrassing to the government and as such became unacceptable.
The memo, with reference no: HCSF/3065/VI/189 reads in part: “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 fasttrack 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.”
Daily Trust reports that there has been an increase in the leakage of sensitive government documents to the public, especially on social media. This includes a recent memo from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Senator George Akume, which revealed plans to allocate N500m as allowances to members of the tripartite committee on minimum wage set up by the federal government.
Also, there was a memo about a huge amount of money to be allocated as subsidy for hajj which purportedly emanated from the office of the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, to cushion the effects of high dollar exchange rate which led to the astronomical rise in hajj pilgrimage fare this year to over N4m.