The Taraba State Health Service Management Board (TRS-HSMB) has issued a warning to its staff regarding the proper handling of official records, particularly personnel files. Executive Secretary Dr. Garba Danjuma emphasized that accurate records are essential for accountability and effective administration. During a general staff briefing in Jalingo, Danjuma stressed that every employee has a responsibility to protect records entrusted to their custody. He commended staff members who have demonstrated diligence in handling government documents.
Danjuma cautioned that incidents involving missing documents and personnel files would no longer be tolerated. He urged officers responsible for records to exercise greater care and ensure that files are properly documented, stored, and easily retrievable when required. According to Danjuma, government records provide a reliable basis for verifying information, establishing accountability, and resolving disputes or questions that may arise in the course of public service.
The Executive Secretary drew attention to the need for prompt handling of official correspondence and mails. He urged staff not to allow documents requiring action to remain unattended, as delays in processing official communication could affect the smooth running of government business. Danjuma emphasized that protecting government records is a collective responsibility and should not be regarded as the sole duty of registry or administrative officers.
The Board's Legal Adviser, Umar Danladi Umar, underscored the importance of proper records management from a legal and institutional accountability perspective. Umar explained that official documents could serve as important evidence in legal proceedings and litigation, making their preservation essential to establishing facts when disputes arise. He advised staff to ensure that personnel files and other official documents are securely preserved for as long as required.
The emphasis on proper records management comes at a time when public institutions increasingly depend on accurate documentation to track personnel matters, verify administrative decisions, and provide evidence for official actions. Personnel files contain information that can have direct implications for employees' careers, including appointments, promotions, transfers, disciplinary matters, and other administrative decisions.
The directive places renewed emphasis on the responsibility of public servants to treat government records as institutional assets rather than ordinary paperwork. For the TRS-HSMB, a reliable records system is necessary for efficient administration, protection of staff interests, and the preservation of institutional memory. The briefing served as a reminder to staff and a call for greater discipline in handling official information and documents.
Danjuma urged the workforce to support management's efforts by ensuring that every document entrusted to them is properly handled, preserved, and processed within the required timeframe. He maintained that diligence in managing official records would contribute to a more accountable, efficient, and responsive public service in Taraba State. The management's position is that accurate records are crucial for the Board's operations and the well-being of its employees.
Key points
- The Taraba State Health Service Management Board warns staff against mishandling official records.
- Accurate records are essential for accountability and effective administration.
- Proper records management is a collective responsibility among staff members.
