Plateau govt retires 9 perm secs

Isaac Shobayo, Jos - 03.01.2008

Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State has retired nine permanent secretaries and appointed 11 others as part of the plan of the administration to reorganise the state civil service.

According to a press statement signed by the Head of Service, Dr. Godfrey Mamzhi, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune in Jos, the government directed the retired permanent secretaries to proceed on three months pre-retirement leave from January 2.

A permanent secretary, Mr. Samuel Ngumar, was deployed to the Plateau Environmental Protection Agency (PEPSA) as the General Manager.

The exercice has started generating controversy in the state as it is said to be political on the premise that six of those retired had not attained retirement age.

One of those affected in the retirement, who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune on condition of anonymity, said the exercise was done by the governor to flush out those perceived to be cronies of the last administration.

He said majority of those appointed by Chief Michael Bot-Mang-led administration after the impeachment of the former Governor Joshua Dariye were affected in the exercise.