SGF Warns Ministers Against Arbitrary Removal Of Agencies CEOs, Releases Disciplinary Procedure

The Federal Government has expressed concern over the arbitrary sacking of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of government parastatals, agencies and departments by ministers, saying  that such arbitrary removal will  no longer be tolerated..

According to a circular issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustaapha, titled, “Approved Disciplinary Procedure Against Chief Executive Officers of Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies and Depattments,”  the Federal Government notes that   unilateral dismisal of CEOs without following due process  affects the, “stability and service delivery,” of the MDAs.
 

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The circular  follows the sacking of the Managing Director (MD), Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Usman Mohammed, on Tuesday, April 19, by the Minister of Power, Sale Mamman, while he subsequetly  replaced Muhammed with, Sule Abdulaziz, as the acting MD.

“This procedure shall serve as a mandatory guide and all Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and any other Public Officer in similar supervisory position, are enjoined to strictly abide by its content,” Mustapha said.

Mustapha added that, “For emphasis, on no account shall a Minister of the Federal Republic unilaterally or arbitrarily remove a serving Chief Executive Officer, without recourse to the procedure contained in this Circular.”

The circular said that in the event of misconduct of a C.E.O, “it shall be the duty of the supervising Minister through the Permanent Secretary to refer the matter to the Governing Board for necessary action in line with the relevant provisions of the Establishment Act and the principles guiding Chapters 3 and 16 of the Public Service Rules.

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The procedure pointed out that the board would follow “due process’ to issue a query to the offending C.E.O, demanding explanation for the action complained about.”

Accordingly, the board is obliged to, “foward its findings and recommendations to the Minister for further consideration and action,” the procedure stated.

“In the event that the Governing Board is the initiator of the report on the alleged serious misconduct, the Minister on the advice of the Permanent Secretary ensures that sub-paragraphs (ii) & (iii) above have been complied with, fully.
 

“Where the Chief Executive is also the Chairman of the Board, the Minister, on the advice of the Permanent Secretary, shall apply the principles under sub-paragraph (ii) above.

The circular said, “The Minister, after due consideration of the submission from the Board, shall on the advice of the Permanent Secretary, forward the Ministry’s position along with the recommendations of the Board and the explanation of the Chief Executive Officer to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) for processing to Mr. President, for a decision.

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“Upon receipt of the submission from the Minister, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) shall without delay cause an independent investigation and advise Mr. President on the appropriate course of action, including interdiction or suspension in accordance with principles guiding  Sections 030405 and 030406 of the Public Service Rules, pending the outcome of the independent investigations;

“It shall be the responsibility of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to further advise Mr. President on the next course of action, based on the outcome of the final investigation;
 

“In the absence of a Board, the Minister shall, with the support of the Permanent Secretary, function in that capacity in accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Administrative Guidelines; and

“The Secretary to the Government of the Federation shall implement and/or convey the approval and directives of Mr. President on every disciplinary case against Chief Executive Officers in the Public Service,” the circular added.

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