Reps seek abrogation of compulsory retirement policy for directors

The House of Representatives on Thursday called for the immediate abrogation of the Federal Government policy on compulsory retirement of public servants who have attained 8 years as Directors in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

To this end, the House called on the Head of Civil Service of the Federation to with immediate effect issue a new notice or rejoinder to her previous notice of July 2023 by withdrawing the circular on the compulsory retirement of directors upon serving for 8 years: and to ensure compliance.

The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion jointly sponsored by the Majority Leader, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere; Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda and Hon. Ishaya Lalu.

In his lead debate, Chinda who frowned against the impacts of the policy, called for an investigation of Section 8 of the Public Service Rules.

He said: “The House is aware of the Circular dated 27 July 2023, with reference No. HCSF/SPO/268/T3/2/37, “The revised Public Service Rules (PSR) issued by the Head of Service, directing public servants to comply with the Public Service Rules, 2021, Section 8 (020810) (iv) (a), which stipulates compulsory retirement for directors after 8 years, whether or not the director has reached the biological retirement age of 65 years or 40 years in service is in direct conflict with the Harmonized Retirement Age tor Teachers in Nigeria Act, 2022.

“The House notes that teachers are public servants with some as directors in the Federal Ministry of Education, it is therefore counter-productive for Directors to be compulsorily retired upon the expiration of 8 years in office as Directors when they have not attained the retirement age of 65 or 40 years.

“The House also notes that there is a paucity of experienced, trained, youthful, intellectually sound and globally exposed public servants at grade level 17 as Directors in the different Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that drive the civil service for productivity and service.

“The House is also aware that Directors attained their positions through years of hard work, excellence, dedication, and management skills development through local and international training using Nigerian resources.

“The House further notes that this cadre of directors having built capacity in relevant areas are now facing the threat of compulsory retirement from service upon the expiration of 8 years in the position as Directors when they have not attained the age of 60 years nor 35 years in public service, thereby robbing the nation of their years of experience, creativity, expertise, innovation, ingenuity and transformative ideas, which will negatively impact productivity in the public service and by extension, the economy.

“The House is concerned that non-compliance with the provisions of Harmonized Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Act, 2022, which provides for the retirement age for Teachers as 65 years of age or attainments of 40 years in pensionable public service may have dire consequences,” he said.

Hence, the House mandated the joint Committees on Public Service Matters and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.

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