Expository: Enslaving and Dehumanizing Kangaroo Auditing for Lagos Civil Servants
Posted by Editor | a month ago | 181 times
The Lagos State Head of Service (H.O.S) recently organized an auditing exercise for civil servants under its employ to take place from 16th December,2024 to 3rd January,2024 in Alausa,Ikeja. While auditing is a critical mechanism for accountability and efficiency in any organization, the execution of this particular exercise has raised serious concerns about its purpose,methodology, and impact on the welfare of civil servants. The organisers changed time table more than three times and never succeeded with one of their scheduled. The period teachers are meant to rest after the term,the HOS choose to dehumanise and toy with teachers self esteem.
The Auditing Purpose: A Cloak of Secrecy
Auditing, by its very nature, is intended to ensure transparency, accountability, and effective management of resources. However, the purpose of the Lagos State H.O.S auditing exercise remains shrouded in secrecy, leaving many civil servants questioning its intent. Rather than fostering an atmosphere of trust and cooperation, the process has become synonymous with fear, frustration, and outright dehumanization.
This lack of clarity has bred suspicion among workers, with many alleging that the exercise is less about promoting efficiency and more about enforcing compliance through fear and intimidation.
Poor Organization and Lack of Safety Measures
The execution of the auditing exercise has been widely criticized for its lack of proper planning and absence of safety measures. Civil servants were subjected to long hours of waiting under harsh conditions, often without adequate provisions for shelter, water, or medical support.
In some instances, overcrowding at the designated auditing centers led to avoidable health emergencies. Reports of civil servants fainting and collapsing have emerged, with no immediate medical intervention available. These conditions are not only a breach of workers’ rights but also a glaring oversight by the H.O.S, which should prioritize the welfare of its workforce.
Psychological Impact: Frustration, Depression, and Death
The physical toll of the poorly managed exercise is matched by its psychological impact. Civil servants have reported feelings of frustration, humiliation, and depression, stemming from the disrespectful treatment meted out during the process.
Tragically, there have been accounts of deaths linked to the stress and trauma of the exercise. These incidents highlight the urgent need for a humane approach to auditing, one that prioritizes the dignity and well-being of workers.
A Call for Accountability and Reform
- The Lagos State government must take immediate steps to address the flaws in its auditing process. This includes:
- Transparency: Clearly communicating the objectives and expected outcomes of the auditing exercise to all stakeholders.
- Proper Planning: Ensuring that future exercises are well-organized, with adequate provisions for workers’ comfort and safety.
- Worker Welfare: Implementing policies that uphold the dignity and rights of civil servants during such exercises.
- Accountability: Investigating the reported deaths and health emergencies, with a view to preventing future occurrences.
In Conclusion,the ongoing auditing exercise by the Lagos State H.O.S has exposed a disturbing disregard for the welfare of civil servants. While accountability is a noble goal, it must not come at the expense of workers’ lives and dignity.
The Lagos State government must remember that its workforce is its greatest asset. A demoralized and dehumanized civil service cannot deliver the quality of governance and public service that the state requires. As such, urgent reforms are needed to restore trust, dignity, and efficiency in the system.
Only then can Lagos State truly claim to be a beacon of excellence in governance and public service delivery.
