Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Abia State Government has directed that all command promotions granted to public servants in the state between 2015 and the inception of the current administration in 2023 be reversed immediately.
Non-compliance with civil service rules, seniority, and due diligence informed the reversal according to a circular by the Head of Service, Dr Mrs Queen Obioma.
The circular copied to all Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, Clerk of the House of Assembly, Civil Service Commission, Judicial Service Commission, Heads of non-Ministeral Agencies and Parastatals, is to take effect from July 1, 2024.
It directed all the affected beneficiaries of the command promotions to revert to their previous grade levels and start growing from the ranks according to civil service rules.
The circular read: “Sequel to the unwavering commitment of the present administration to reform the Abia Public Service in line with the provisions of the Public Service Rule, I wish to convey the directive of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti on the above subject.
“Consequently, all Command Promotions granted in the past eight (8) years before the inception of the present administration, to both individual Public Servants and the entire workforce (in April 2023) are hereby cancelled. All the affected staff are hereby directed to revert to their former rank and salary grade level before the Command Promotions under reference. Such staff will henceforth progress through the normal promotion processes as enshrined in the Public Service Rules and Regulations.
“This is aimed at restoring normalcy and seniority in the service, as well as the sanctity of the service which were eroded over time.
“Accordingly, Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Ministerial and Non-Ministerial Departments are directed to ensure strict compliance with this directive, and forward to the Office of the Head of Service, corrected copies of their 2024 Nominal Rolls in both hard and soft copies, reflecting the reversion.”
