Mobile Phones in Civil Service

PSC Circular No. 60 /2012

To: All Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments     File Ref: PSC 29/628/9-7

Subject: MOBILE PHONES IN CIVIL SERVICE                         Date: 30 August, 2012

1.0 The Commission has received several requests from Ministries and Departments on the need to modernise Government’s work practices and processes by the provision of ICT  Solutions which is essential for effective service delivery.

2.0 The current Policy specifies that mobile phones are restricted to the following Office and Officers:-

i) Ministers
ii) Assistant Ministers
iii) Permanent Secretaries
iv) Heads of Departments
v) Essential Services such as Hospitals, Water and Sewerage and Security Forces

3.0 The Commission has recently approved certain requests from Agencies outside the ambitof the current Policy on a case by case basis merely by considering the justification for the usage.

4.0 The Commission has reviewed the Mobile Phone Policy and the restriction specified in the Policy has been uplifted. The decision for purchase of mobile phonesand its usage in Government Agencies is accordingly delegated to the Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments.

5.0 Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments will in this regard be accountable for decisions made on the purchase and usage of these devices and take full responsibilities of Officers in possession of official mobile phones in circumstances of resignation, retirement, posting, theft, damages and misuse.

6.0 This Circular supercedes PSC Circular No. 60/2000 of 14/12/2000 and PSC Circular No. 08/2005 of 21/02/2005.

7.0 You are requested to bring this to the notice of all concerned, please.

8.0 Any clarifications can be referred to Mrs. Maca Tulakepa of the Policy Development Division on telephone number 3314588, extension 408 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Parmesh Chand
Permanent Secretary for the Public Service