The compulsory retirement of eight permanent secretaries, some directors and dismissal of 1, 774 others from the state civil service, was announced by the Kogi state government on Sunday.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the affected staff were served their letters, which were signed by the state Head of Service, Mrs Deborah Ogunmola and the Chairman of the state Civil Service Commission, Mr Ado Shaibu, last year
A copy of the retirement letter addressed to one of the affected permanent secretaries said the retirement was “in the interest of the public.”
Speaking to NAN, a few of the affected permanent secretaries revealed they might be taking legal actions against the state government.
Mrs Petra Akinti-Onyegbule, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Yahaya Bello,speaking on the dismissal, defended the action, saying it was part of ongoing reforms in the civil service.
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.
She continued;
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.
Onyegbule, also confirmed that 1,667 workers with fake certificates were dismissed from the state civil service, saying these people were uncovered during the screening carried out by the state government in 2016 and 2017.
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.