Trouble brewing in Abia as Otti cancels civil service promotions made by Ikpeazu administration

By Akpokona Omafuaire

THERE is trouble brewing in Abia State as Governor Alex Otti reversed all the civil service promotions granted to civil servants in the state by the former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu administration.

The action according to sources is leading to uneasy quietness amongst the workforce who were already planning strike over minimum wage demands. 

It could be recalled that the Ikpeazu administration had in April 2023, granted command promotions to all civil servants in the state. The directive promoted civil servants in the 17 Local Government Areas, Ministries, Department and Agencies,MDAs, to their next salary grade levels.

But in a circular with reference number, HSA/S.0001/SUB.1/130,titled, ''Reversion of all command promotions in the Abia public service,'' dated 4th July, 2024, signed by the Head of the Service, Dr. Queen Obioma, the government directed that all command promotions granted in the past eight years before the inception of the Otti administration to both individual public servants and the entire workforce in April 2023,are cancelled.

The circular directed further directed all workers to revert to their former ranks and salary grade levels before the command promotions.

It stated that civil servants will henceforth progress through normal promotions as enshrined in the public service rules and regulations.

The circular also disclosed that the directive is meant to restore normalcy and seniority in the service which it stated, has been eroded over time.

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 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. This circular is with effect from 1st July, 2024." It added.

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