Why I sent all directors on compulsory leave, by Aregbesola

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NIGERIA: OSUN State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has given reasons why he sent all the directors in the civil service on compulsory leave.

The Governor stated that the move was not meant to sack the directors, but to enable them enjoy their annual leave in line with civil service rules.

According to a release by the media aide to the governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola agreed that workers are the live-wire of the socio-economic development of the state, therefore, the government had not contemplated reducing the workforce.

He ordered that all directors – either in acting or substantive positions – who were yet to go on leave since 2014 to 2016 should do so immediately.

The Governor’s order was contained in a circular dated November 2, 2016 and signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Public Service Office, Mr. Samuel Aina.

The Governor, according to the release, explained that the compulsory annual leave was to strengthen the laid down civil service rules to enhance greater productivity and ensure effectiveness.

Aregbesola stated that the decision was arrived at after he was informed of the accumulated leave of some senior civil servants in the state.

The Governor said: “It is disheartening that some people have become perpetual rumour peddlers. They never live by the truth, but rather derive pleasure from spreading propaganda and falsehood.”

“Our administration has never intended to sack any worker. We never aimed to retrench or reduce workforce,” the Governor said, adding: “This is what we built and we can never collapse it.”

He also said: “Our directive on compulsory leave was in line with the operational framework that established civil service. We only enforced it because we felt that those affected were due for leave. As we all know, leave is a work-relief benefit for workers and it is expected of every worker that is due for it to do so.

“In view of this, our government’s action was aimed at ensuring that those workers benefit from their accumulated leave from 2014 till date.  We are not sacking any worker under pretence as being rumoured, but rather enforcing the conventional rules and civil service principles.