Amid rising concerns from Governor Sheriff Oborevwori regarding the troubling trend of public servants abandoning their responsibilities to travel abroad without proper authorization, the Delta State Government has launched a bold initiative to enforce discipline and accountability within the state’s public service.
The Governor voiced his strong dissatisfaction over officers who leave their duty posts for overseas trips without permission, yet continue to draw salaries, undermining the integrity of the service.
In a decisive response, the State Head of Service, Mr. Reginald Bayoko, mni, has issued a clear directive: All public and civil servants who have traveled abroad without requisite permission, or whose authorization has expired, must report back to their duty posts within two weeks. Noncompliance will attract immediate and stringent disciplinary actions, including summary dismissal.
Furthermore, Mr. Bayoko has mandated every Ministry, Department, and Agency (MDA) to compile a thorough list of officers who have traveled abroad since 2018, indicating whether they obtained proper authorization or have overstayed their sanctioned period. This comprehensive report must be submitted by Monday, December 2nd, 2024.
According to the Directive, Accounting Officers, Directors, and immediate Supervisors of affected officers would bear direct accountability for any regulatory breaches, including the recovery of salaries disbursed to absent officers from the responsible officials.
Outlined in a circular (No. TM.3/57/T1/46) dated November 11, 2024, the directive underscores the Delta State Government’s zero-tolerance stance on indiscipline. The Head of Service emphasized, “Officers who have traveled abroad without requisite permission are instructed to resume their duty posts within two weeks of this notice. Failure to comply will lead to immediate and decisive disciplinary measures, including summary dismissal.”
Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to high standards and ethical governance, Mr. Bayoko called on all MDAs to ensure prompt and complete compliance. He stressed that the integrity of the service hinges on collective adherence to rules and regulations. “We are resolute in our pursuit of a disciplined and accountable public service, and we rely on the proactive cooperation of all stakeholders,” he added.
The Head of Service also implored all public servants to respect established protocols for overseas travel, reiterating the importance of cultivating a culture of responsibility and compliance. In this crucial endeavor, every officer’s dedication is paramount to maintaining the excellence and dependability of the Delta State public service.
