Lagos Govt Bars Staff From Facebook, Twitter

Piqued by the entrenched practice of its staff members who now indulge in spending much time on social internet sites at working hours, the Lagos State Government has barred staff from accessing social media sites from their computers and laptops at the state secretariat.

Our correspondent gathered that unfettered access to internet browsing system freely provided by the
state government for its staff seemed to have hampered the productivity of its work force hitherto referred as one of the most vibrant civil service outfits in the country.

To this end, it was learnt that the state government, at a meeting by top government officials with Heads of Information Technology (IT) units last week, decided that their access to the social network sites be curtailed, starting from last Monday.

The staff seen discussing in groups about the development told our correspondent that they can no longer access facebook, twitter, Badoo and other social media on computer in offices within the Alausa Secretariat.

“It is only facebook, twitter and others that the government restricted. They did not restrict access to personal mails on Yahoo and Gmail. To me it’s a good thing; the staff abused the privilege provided by the government. Before now the thing in vogue here was discussing with friends and family members on facebook,” he said.

The staff who had attempted to log into their facebook accounts thought their accounts had been hacked as it sprung up a page with the inscription, “Lagos State Internet User Portal” asking for a username and password to log in before they could log in to social media site.

Another civil servant who spoke on condition of anonymity said the decision of the government was informed by the attitude of some staffers who spend the whole day browsing social networks rather than carrying out their official duties.

According to him, “Some staff members use the office computer systems to chat on facebook, twitter rather than do their jobs when they come to work. Some come as early as 7am just to come and access their facebook and chat with friends”.

A staff also reasoned otherwise when he said the decision may not stop staff from accessing social networks as most of the workers have blackberry phones, i-pads and even some Nokia phone that can access facebook and others.

“Only a few access social media through office gadgets. Besides, it is only for computers using the wireless internet provider in the secretariat; if you have your own internet modem, you can still access social media,” he said.

Efforts to reach the State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Adebiyi Mabadeje, met a brick wall as he did not answer calls put across to his phone.