The Kogi State Government has approved the dismissal of 1,774 workers from civil service and compulsory retirement of 8 permanent secretaries and some directors.
The affected staff who were served letters in December 2017, were said to have been laid off their duties “in the interest of the public.”
1,667 were sacked for using fake certificate to secure job, while 107 others accused of frauds.
The dismissal letters were signed by Mrs. Deborah Ogunmola, the Kogi Head of Service, and Mr. Adeo Shaibu, the Civil Service Commission Chairman.
Some of the sacked permanent secretaries has vowed to take legal action against the development.
Reacting to the incident, Mrs. Petra Akinti-Onyegbule, the Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor, Yahaya Bello, said the move was part of the state reform in the civil service, adding that only Perm Secs that have served for at least four years were affected.
She said, “The retired permanent secretaries have been paid their consolidated benefits that accrued to them.
“Also affected are civil servants who have attained the special salary grade level 17.”
Akinti-Onyegbule added that directors who have served for at least eight years were also affected in state downsizing and others that would be affected would be based on the result of recent promotion interviews done for them.
“In order to get the best replacement for the retired permanent secretaries, directors who had been in office for eight years and above but are yet to attain retirement age or maximum number of years in office were given the opportunity to partake in the exams to fill the position of permanent secretaries.
“The result of the examinations which held on Tuesday, December 12, 2017 and followed by interviews is yet to be out.
“Until the result is out, we will not be able to put a definite figure on the number of directors that will be affected by the compulsory retirement,’’ she said.
The chief press secretary also confirmed that 1,667 workers with fake certificates were dismissed from the state civil service. She said that those dismissed were uncovered during the screening carried out by the state government in 2016 and 2017. Akinti-Onyegbule also said 107 other workers were dismissed for engaging in fraudulent activities.
“Kogi state government is carrying out reforms at different stages to reposition its civil service for effectiveness, efficiency and productivity.
“The screening exercise which began in 2016 has since ended. The reversal of the inverted pyramid at the civil service is another phase of the much needed reforms meant to ensure the civil service plays its role as the engine room of government efficiently and effectively.”
0 Comments