The Minister of Public Service , Wilson Muluri Mukasa has suspended the ongoing restructuring and termination of contracts at the troubled National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) following complaints from affected staff.
In a communication to the NEMA Board Chairperson, Minister Muluri said that he had noticed irregularities with restructuring under the new approved organizational structures which need to be studied further and ensure transparency in the processes.
“I also note that issues of non-adherence to the principles and guidelines for the rationalization of government agencies and public expenditure (RAPEX) and other relevant legal provisions, were specifically raised,” the minister’s letter reads in part.
Among the issues identified include the development of new job descriptions in an arbitrary manner, without involving the Ministry of Public Service, the Public Service Commission, and other crucial stakeholders .
the minister’s letter highlighted that the decision to terminate any employees was already in conflict with the directives provided by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Service regarding the procedures for managing staff during the restructuring process. “Permanent Secretary Ministry of Public Service through circular letter no.2 of 2020 dated 27th April 2023 guided on the continued employment of public officers in the positions that have been abolished or regarded,” Minister Muluri-Mukasa said .
He added thus ,“I would like to guide as follows; any recruitment for either new appointments or replacements to fill the positions on the approved structure of NEMA should be stayed until further guidance by the attorney general in consultation with the ministry of public service.”
The minister further guided that personnel who had been impacted by the restructuring process should remain in their existing roles until a suitable course of action is determined and sanctioned.
