Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has urged the new surveyor-general of the state to work differently with professionalism, diligence and integrity to enhance effective delivery of his duties and responsibilities.
Gov. Fubara gave the charge shortly after swearing in Peter Ogolo as the surveyor-general of the state and permanent secretary of the survey department at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
The governor described Ogolo as a long serving public officer who ranks high among his peers, and has contributed immensely to the establishment of most development roadmaps for the state, stressing that his appointment was based purely on merit.
He said: “If you go into the history of how the then Greater Port Harcourt Development Authority was established, if you go into the history of other developments in this state, if you check the survey plans, you will see that Ogolo was the one who signed virtually all those things.
“This appointment is not because he is from Opobo. He is the most senior, most qualified, and even the one who interviewed the person he is succeeding now. The records are there with the civil service commission.
“So, I don’t need to give you any charge. You are already there. You know what the office entails. You just read your oath of office: do what is right. It is not about the faces you are going to see, do what is right. Be professional, defend and protect the interest of the state. I wish you all the best. God will guide you.”
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Gov. Fubara recalled the challenges that Ogolo encountered that would have ended his career quite early, but quickly added that because he listened to wise counsel, he is now celebrating being the surveyor-general of the state.
“Something happened in the course of his service. He was between losing his job and fighting for his life. He came to me, and I advised him: why don’t you leave, maybe, wait to fight another day.
“And that is why today, he is alive to be the surveyor-general. If he had stood to fight, that he is the most senior, that he is the most qualified, he wouldn’t have been here today,” the governor stated.
He advised the new surveyor-general to serve the state selflessly and honestly, with abiding integrity, so that posterity will remember his legacies.
