10 FCTA directors reject FG’s order, refuse to leave their positions

Nearly a month after the newly revised Public Service Rules went into effect; about 10 directors in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) with more than eight years in office have not started the mandatory retirement process.

The directors were required to turn in their retirement letter in accordance with the PSR, which became effective on July 27, 2023, and were reported to have served on the directorate cadre for nine to twelve years.

According to our correspondent, more than 500 directors who have held their positions for eight years or longer were predicted to be impacted by the new rule.

In a memo dated July 27 that was sent to all Permanent Secretaries, the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Auditor-General of the Federation, and the Heads of Extra Ministerial Departments, Folashade Yemi-Esan, Head of Civil Service of the Federation, ordered strict adherence to the revised rules.

The new regulations also included a tenure policy 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 nearly a month after the directive 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 rule, 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.

An official stated, ‘’No fewer than 10 directors who have spent between nine and 12 years in office have refused to vacate office or retire as stipulated by the revised PSR. In fact, the Director of Human Resource Management has just asked the permanent secretary for three months’ extension in office.

‘’Though the request has not been granted, everyone in FCTA is worried by the refusal of the concerned officials to comply with the rules. We are hoping the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike would intervene speedily.’’

Ironically, Muhammad had called attention to the HoS directive on the implementation of the PSR in a circular dated August 9, 2023, to the leadership of the FCT Administration.

A letter with the reference number FCTA/HRM/ 141145/Vol. I was writing to the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority, the Secretaries of the Mandate Secretariats, the Heads of the Departments, Agencies, and Parastatals, the Coordinators and Directors, the FCTA Common Services Department, and the entire staff.

It stated: “I am directed to direct your attention to the circular number: HCSF/SPSO/268/T3/2/37 of July 27, 2023 from the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation 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 regard, you are to ensure full compliance with all of the revised PSR’s provisions, especially section 020909 on the tenure policy for directors or its equivalent for Grade Level 17. Please make sure that everything in this circular is followed to the letter.

On Thursday, calls to Muhammad’s phone indicated it was off, so he could not be reached.

The concerned officials had been given the go-ahead to retire via a circular, according to Muhammed Sule, FCTA Director of Press.

All of the directors affected by the tenure policy have retired as instructed by the Head of Service, a source at the Federal Ministry of Health told one of our correspondents.

“For instance, the Director, Public Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Morenike Alex-Okoh has left; the Director of Family Health, Dr Boladale Alonge has gone, and many others. The ones I know personally that have retired are about seven,” the source said.