Why We Ordered Permanent Secretaries, Others, Who Have Spent 8 Years In Office To Retire – Abia State Govt

The Abia State Government led by Dr Alex Otti, has mandated Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Non-Ministerial Departments and Directors, who have stayed up to 8 years in office , to embark on a compulsory retirement.

A circular from the Office of the Head of Service, Governor’s office in Umuahia, the state capital, stated that “Directors shall compulsorily retire upon serving eight (8) years while Heads of Departments shall hold office for a term of four (4) years which would be renewable for another term of four (4) years, subject to satisfactory performance

The government explained that the policy is part of the reforms going on in the country and in line with Circular No. HSA/S.0074/11/91 of 1 August, 2011. It added that the policy is also in line with “Rule 02809 of the Abia State Public Service Rules which prescribes (60) years of age and/or thirty-five (35) years of pensionable service, whichever is earlier for mandatory retirement”.

Affected persons were charged to start their retirement process before January 1, 2024 in order not to have a delay in receiving their retirement benefits.

The circular read;

As part of the continuing reforms in the country and in consonance with Circular No. HSA/S.0074/11/91 of 1 August, 2011, the Abia State Government has found it necessary to reinstate a policy that will reinvigorate the
Public Service, restore morale of officers and unlock the new Abia of hard working officers.

Accordingly, government has approved that Permanent Secretaries and Heads of  non-ministerial departments shall hold office for a term of four (4) years: renewable for another term of four (4) years, subject to satisfactory performance and no more. Directors shall compulsorily retire upon serving eight years on the post.

This approval is without prejudice to Rule 02809 of the Abia State Public Service Rules which prescribes s (60) years of age and/or thirty-five (35) years of pensionable service, whichever is earlier for mandatory retirement.

Consequently, all Permanent Secretaries. Heads of Non-Ministerial Departments and Directors who v retirement activities. This is to obviate any form of delay in receiving their retirement benefits. have spent eight (8) years or more on the post by 1st January, 2024, are hereby notified to commence their retirement activities . This is to obviate any form of delay in receiving their retirement benefits.

In another circular seen by AFNEWS, all Federal Directors (SGL 17) who have spent eight (8) years and above on the post are directed to submit their notice of retirement in line with section 020909 of the revised PSR effective from August 3, 2023.

The circular which emanated from the Office of the Director of Administration, Federal Ministry of Finance Abuja, read;

I write to refer you to the “2021 Revised Edition” of the Public Service Rules (PSR) which takes effect from 27th July, 2023.

Consequently, all Directors (SGL 17) who have spent eight (8) years and above on the post are by this Internal Circular directed to submit their notice of retirement in line with section 020909 of the revised PSR effective from the date stated thereof.

Accordingly, all affected Directors are advised to commence the process of documentation with the Administration Department for compulsory retirement by virtue of the section under reference.

Furthermore, the Directors in question should formally handover to the most senior officers in their respective Departments and surrender all official documents including Identification Cards as well as official vehicles (if any) before exiting.

Please bring the content of this internal circular to the attention of all concerned for strict compliance.