Fubara Swears In 16 Perm Secs

The Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, has said permanent secretaries in the state would serve as heads of their respective ministries pending when commissioners are appointed.
The governor stated this on Tuesday after he swore in 16 new permanent secretaries at Government House, Port Harcourt.
He warned the new permanent secretaries to resist the urge to be political in the discharge of their duties so that the civil service can operate more professionally.
The governor said they were chosen not because they were lucky, but because they were found competent in their various ministries and could be trusted to offer greater service to the state.
Fubara noted that most ministries were without regular administrative heads, which made some of the permanent secretaries to play supervisory roles. He therefore said that with their appointments, they would now properly take charge and ensure that the right things were always done.
While promising to provide a conducive environment that will enhance their productivity, Governor Fubara said his administration has promised Rivers people better welfare and improved security, in which the new appointees would play a critical role.
He 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, but a call to duty.
“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 later 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.
The new permanent secretaries included Hebron Wisdom, Dede Sampson Friday, Briggs Atemea Karibo, Nyempe Gregory, Ndah Emmanuel, Ngochindo James Epobari, Ishmael Tomonialadieokuma and Wakama Boma A. George.
Others were 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.