The Minister for Public Service, Hon. Francis Sade, has tabled the Public Service Bill 2025 for the second reading in Parliament on Tuesday, marking a significant step towards modernising the country’s public service.

The Bill aims to strengthen the institutional framework that governs public officers, promote a professional and responsive public service, and enhance accountability and transparency.

Key features of the Bill include:

• Establishing a clear and comprehensive legal framework for public service organisations, structures, and remuneration
• Strengthening accountability and transparency through robust oversight systems and ethical conduct
• Defining roles and responsibilities of key officeholders, and
• Promoting uniform employment and management practices based on merit, fairness, and non-discrimination

The Minister emphasised the importance of integrity, accountability, and performance in the public service, highlighting measures to strengthen the ethical foundation, including a legally binding Code of Conduct and annual declarations of interests for senior officers.

The Bill has undergone a thorough review by the Bills and Legislation Committee, and the Government will introduce amendments to incorporate the Committee’s recommendations.

The Minister emphasised that the Bill is a cornerstone of the government’s public service reform agenda and called on Parliament to support its passage.

The passage of the Bill is expected to lay the foundation for a modern, trusted, and capable public service that values merit, innovation, and integrity.

– OPMC