Nearly a month after the newly updated Public Service Rules went into effect, about 10 directors in the Federal Capital Territory Administration who have served in their positions for more than eight years have not started the necessary retirement process.
The directors were reportedly on the directorship cadre for nine to twelve years and were expected to submit their letter of retirement in accordance with the PSR, which became effective on July 27, 2023.
According to our reporter, more than 500 directors who have been in their current roles for eight or more years are anticipated to be impacted by the new law.
In a memo dated July 27 and sent to all Permanent Secretaries, Accountant-General of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan, Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Auditor-General of the Federation and Heads of Extra Ministerial Departments, ordered strict compliance with the revised rules.
The new regulations also included a tenure scheme for permanent secretaries, who must now serve for a minimum of four years before being eligible for renewal based on performance.
However, sources at the FCTA claimed that about a month after the order went into effect, the Director of Human Resource Management, Bashir Muhammad, as well as his counterpart at the Christian Pilgrimage Board, Dabara Vingo, and others who were impacted by the regulation, have still not left their positions.
According to information, Muhammad recently asked FCTA Permanent Secretary Olusade Adesola for a three-month extension of his contract.
According to a representative, “No less than ten directors who have served in that capacity for nine to twelve years have refused to leave their positions or retire as required by the updated PSR. In reality, the director of human resource management has recently requested a three-month extension from the permanent secretary.
Despite the fact that the request was denied, everyone at FCTA is concerned since the concerned authorities won’t follow the rules. We are hopeful Nyesom Wike, the FCT Minister, would act quickly.
According to a representative, “No less than ten directors who have served in that capacity for nine to twelve years have refused to leave their positions or retire as required by the updated PSR. In reality, the Human Resource Management Director has just asked the permanent secretary for three months’ extension in office.
“I am directed to refer you to the circular number: HCSF/SPSO/268/T3/2/37 from the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation dated July 27, 2023 and to inform you that the revised Public Service Rules has become operational in the services of FCTA with effect from July 27, 2023.”
In this respect, you are to make sure that all of the updated PSR’s requirements are strictly followed, including section 020909 on the tenure policy for directors or its equivalent for Grade Level 17. Please make sure that the information in this circular is strictly followed.
On Thursday, calls to Muhammad’s phone suggested it was off, so he could not be reached.
Muhammed Sule, the FCTA Director of Press, however, clarified that a circular had instructed the involved personnel to retire.
One of our correspondents was informed by a source in the Federal Ministry of Health that all of the directors affected by the tenure policy had retired as the Head of Service had instructed.
“For instance, the Federal Ministry of Health’s Director of Public Health, Dr. Morenike Alex-Okoh, as well as the Director of Family Health, Dr. Boladale Alonge, have both left. About seven of those that I personally know have retired, according to the source.