In a decisive move aimed at restoring order within Abia State’s civil service, Governor Alex Otti has revoked all command promotions granted over the past eight years. These special promotions, typically awarded for exceptional performance, will now revert to previous ranks and salary grades as of July 1, 2024.
Dr. Mrs. N. Q. Obioma, the Head of Service, issued a circular detailing the directive. The state government’s decision seeks to uphold the integrity of public service by ensuring adherence to established Public Service Rules and Regulations.
The circular emphasized that all command promotions prior to April 2023 are canceled. Public servants affected by this directive must return to their former ranks and salary levels. This reversion is designed to restore normalcy, seniority, and the sanctity of service, which have been compromised.
“All affected staff are directed to revert to their former rank and salary grade level before the Command Promotions,” the circular stated. “Such staff will henceforth progress through the normal promotion processes as enshrined in the Public Service Rules and Regulations.”
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Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Ministerial and Non-Ministerial Departments have been instructed to comply with this directive and submit corrected copies of their 2024 Nominal Rolls to the Office of the Head of Service.
Otti’s predecessor, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, who served from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023, under the Peoples Democratic Party, had overseen the command promotions. Otti, a member of the Labour Party, is committed to restoring fairness and order within the civil service.
