Civil Servants in Bayelsa State under the auspices of Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria on Thursday condemned the extension of tenure of Bayelsa Head of Service (HOS) who retired on June 15.

Chief Serena Dokubo-Spiff, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), had announced the approval for the elongation of the HOS’ tenure in a statement on June15, 2016.

The Civil Servants Association had in a letter to Bayelsa Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson dated June 22, 2016 rejected the extension of the tenure of Dr. Peter Singabele and sought the appointment of a substantive HOS from the service.

The letter signed by the association’s State Secretary Mr. Ebi Sikpi, noted that the extension breached Public Service Rules 020810 and urged Dickson to rescind the decision.

“We are appalled that Dr. Peter Singabele who was due for retirement from the Civil Service on June 15, 2016 has purportedly been given a contract appointment to remain as Head of Service of the state.

“It should be clearly noted that the extension violates the Public Service Rules (PSR) 020810 which states that the compulsory retirement age for grades in the service shall be 60 years or 35 years of pensionable service whichever is earlier.

“The PSR equally emphasises that no officer shall be allowed to remain in service after attaining the retirement age of 60 years or 35 years of pensionable service whichever is earlier,” the letter read in part.

The association explained that extension would negate the career progression of numerous civil servants qualified to take over the office of Head of Service of the state.

It urged the governor to exercise his prerogative to appoint Singabele into any other political office but not as HOS in line with the governor’s belief on fairness, justice and rule of law.

In a reaction to the association’s position, Mr. Jonathan Obuebite, the state Commissioner for Information, said that the extension was to enable the HOS complete ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening the civil service structure.

The Commissioner, who described the resistance by civil servants as being championed by disgruntled politicians, urged such aggrieved politicians to steer clear of the state civil service.

Obuebite explained that Dickson had assured permanent secretaries in the state that the ongoing reforms were meant to reposition the civil service for greater efficiency.

•Photo shows Governor Dickson.

Update news