CIVIL servants under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner Central's Office have been urged to take their accumulated leave before the end of the first quarter this year.
Commissioner Central, Lieutenant Colonel Laisenia Tuitubou said this was the directive from the Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, during a meeting in the west early this month.
Lt-Col Tuitubou said many had not taken their leave for more than six years.
"This would be the last year for officers to take their outstanding leave and so they need to use it as soon as possible," he said.
"The Prime Minister, during his meeting with divisional commissioners, stressed the importance of taking leave when due so that it did not affect the work required from the divisional office.
"We need all workers to work on their leave plan to and to ensure there are people who would step in while they go on leave."
Lt-Col Tuitubou said they needed everyone to be focused on their projects this year, so taking leave would help everyone in carrying out their duties well when they returned to work.
He hoped this year would be a successful one for his division particularly on projects being completed on time.
The length of leave differs across the civil service.
Junior to middle level officers are entitles to between 10 and 20 working days while those in the upper grades receive more than that.