Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has sworn in eight new Permanent Secretaries into the state public service, charging them to work hand in hand with Executive Council members in charge of the various Ministries to drive the attainment of his administration’s Completion Agenda.
The eight new Permanent Secretaries, with one designated the Auditor General, include, Akparawa James Ndarake Edet, NPOM, Mr. Godwin Jimmy Udoh, Mrs. Regina Isaac Okonko, Mr. Asuquo Selong Edem, Engr. Udosen Ephraim Udo, Mr. Effiong Christopher Nicholas and Mr. Joseph George Esidem, while Mr. Isaiah Robson Ntekim, FCAI, was sworn in as the State Auditor General.
Performing the swearing in at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, the Governor clarified that the position of Permanent Secretary is not just a rank in the service but a special appointment that requires tested and proven personnel, found worthy in character, experience and capacity.
He also clarified that the office of the Auditor-General has the same status as the office of the Permanent Secretary in the state public service.
He congratulated the new appointees and admonished them not to see themselves as better than others, but to acknowledge God’s Grace and favour in their emergence, and encouraging others who have been on the queue for such appointments to be hopeful as new vacancies keep opening.
Tasking the new Permanent Secretaries on service to the people, he said they were coming at a point that they have to pursue the Completion Agenda which, he stressed, was mostly about the people.
He prayed that God will help the new appointees to abide by their oath of office, to place the interest of the people above theirs or any other interest.
In his words, “for people asking if we are swearing in Auditor General or Permanent Secretaries, this Auditor-General has the full status of a Permanent Secretary, so with the power conferred on me, today we are swearing in eight Permanent Secretaries, one of which is the Auditor General of the State”.
Furthermore, “Permanent Secretary is not a promotion. It is an appointment. We must test certain skills of yours over the years that will help you dispatch your duties. You must justify why you must be a Permanent Secretary”, he added.
He reiterated his goal of creating a fully automated Civil Service by May 29, 2023 to ensure enhanced efficiency and accountability in the management of the state’s organisations and assets, and sued for the support of the new Permanent Secretaries.
The governor revealed that his administration has already set up a committee to review some obsolete provisions of the Public Service Rules to allow for best practices place and challenged the new heads of administration to make efforts to bring about innovations that will better the service.
“Please let’s see how we can change certain things. Let’s do things better and make sure that we are moving towards a society that things are done based on best practices. I don’t also like this case of comparison, you can make a difference.
“We have a committee right now that is working on a review of the Public Service Rules to align with what is expected, line with in modern techniques and ethics”, Governor Emmanuel stated.
Speaking to newsmen at the end of the event, one of newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries Mr. James Edet, thanked God for his appointment.
He particularly expressed appreciation to Governor Emmanuel for giving him an opportunity to serve, pledging not to disappoint the people in his assigned responsibilities.
Also reacting, the new State Auditor General, Mr. Isaiah Ntekim, thanked God for the elevation, and promised to do his best not to let down the Governor and the people of the State even as he assured of delivering on his duties.
