The Kaduna State Government has announced that the recent retirement of twenty permanent secretaries in the state public service does not indicate that there will be widespread sacking of civil servants as it continues to restructure the service. Rather the government will produce a more efficient civil service, and employ significant numbers of high quality teachers, doctors, nurses, traffic and environmental officers and other essential staff.
The announcement came in a statement signed by Samuel Aruwan, the Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to Governor Nasir el-Rufai
“The retirement of 20 permanent secretaries does not mean the government has plans to sack any civil servant. Whereas permanent secretaries are political appointees that serve at the pleasure of the Governor, the appointment, promotion and discipline of civil servants like directors and below are governed by clear rules under the control of State Civil Service Commission. These extant rules and procedures will be fully respected by the State Government.
“In creating a more efficient civil service, capable of better delivery of public services, the government has the dual duty of eliminating redundancies and duplications, but will have to fill glaring shortages in the manpower available by employment of persons in the education and health sectors. Thus workers diligently doing their jobs have nothing to fear.
“Therefore the recent steps taken with regards to permanent secretaries have no bearing on the job security of civil servants. Permanent secretaries are political appointees, and are therefore subject to the conditions pertaining to such appointees. The new government inherited 35 permanent secretaries, and it was logical that the number had to reduce as the government is restructured.
“The government has streamlined ministries to 13 as part of measures to reduce the cost of governance, but the government has not appointed 13 new permanent secretaries. Media reports concerning such appointments are inaccurate.
“As a result of the restructuring, the public service now has fewer ministries and departments. The number of permanent secretaries has accordingly being reduced to 18.
“Five of the retirements announced yesterday are voluntary, involving permanent secretaries who were due to retire in the next few months but who have willingly fast-tracked their departure. These are: Isa Ismail, Information, Zaria; Hassan Mohammed ,Deputy Governor’s Office, Birnin-Gwari ;Ben Maitamaki ,Chieftaincy Affairs ,Kajuru; Abubakar S. Abdullahi ;Education ,Chikun and Ja’afar Sa’idu, Works and Transport ,Soba.
“The governor has conveyed his appreciation for the services the departing permanent secretaries have offered the state, and he has wished them the best in their future endeavours. The Governor hopes that the retired permanent secretaries will be available to serve the state in other capacities in the near future,” the statement said.
