By: Felix Ikpotor
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has tasked 16 newly sworn-in permanent secretaries to resist remain apolitical in the discharge of their duties.
He said by doing so the civil service can operate more professionally in serving the state effectively.
Fubara gave the charge shortly after swearing-in the permanent secretaries at the Executive Chamber of the Government House in Port Harcourt.
The governor said they were chosen not by luck, but because they have been found competent in their various ministries and can be trusted to offer greater service to the state.
He noted that most ministries were without proper administrative heads with some of them playing supervisory roles, and with their appointment, it is expected that they chart a proper course while committing to do the right things always.
Promising to provide a conducive working environment for them, Fubara said his administration has promised Rivers people better welfare with thriving security, and they are required to key into his policies to ensure better service delivery.
The governor said, “It is not just being lucky to be among the ones that are chosen to be permanent secretaries at this critical time of our government but living up to it. Know that it is not just an appointment, that after two or three months, your face will start to change but to see it as a call to duty.
“So my major charge to you is to see this appointment as a call to duty, it is not a position that you earn politically, as a matter of facts, your were not picked based on political grounds.
“We have a lot to do for our people and your responsibility as permanent secretaries is so much. We have a lot of ministries that are not manned by adequate authority for a while now.
“That is the reason why we have to appoint this number so that all the ministries will have administrative heads, pending when they will have political heads.
“So, we are doing this because we want to chart a proper course for this government.”
The governor directed the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, to hand over official cars to the 16 newly sworn in permanent secretaries.
Those sworn-in include Hebron Wisdom, Dede Friday, Briggs Karibo, Nyempe Gregory, Ndah Emmanuel, Ngochindo Epobari.
Others are Ishmael Tomonialadieokuma, Wakama Boma A. George, Nweke Onyeche Kelvin, Okereuku Alwell Chinedum, Ndukue Patrick, Ichemati Maxwell Mbadiwe, Iwarilama-Brown Inyingi Sabina, Ogolo Maurice Eric, Kejeh Ruhuoma Chinedu and Jacob Fayeofori Francis.
