Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd) has said plans are afoot to commence phased rehabilitation of the state Secretariat, as part of a broader commitment to enhancing public service efficiency and workforce welfare.
The administrator gave the hint at the closing ceremony of a 4-day transformational leadership training workshop organised by the state government in collaboration with the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Jos.
The workshop held in Port Harcourt, was designed to equip permanent secretaries, local government administrators, directors, and senior officers with cutting-edge leadership skills to drive governance reforms.
Ibas emphasised that while capacity-building initiatives like the workshop are critical, the physical work environment must also support productivity and excellence.
“During a recent inspection of the state secretariat, I took a deliberate walk, floor by floor, to assess working conditions firsthand.
“The challenges, erratic power supply, non-functional elevators, unsanitary facilities, and inadequate work tools were sobering. We cannot demand peak performance while neglecting the basics,” he stated.
The administrator said a phased rehabilitation of the state secretariat would commence soon to ensure a modern, efficient, and dignified workspace in addition to a review of public service welfare policies to better motivate civil servants within available resources.
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“God willing, I will ensure that your work environment reflects the respect and dignity your service deserves,” he affirmed.
The administrator also charged local government council administrators to apply the skills acquired during the training to deliver impactful governance.
“I urge you to return to your councils, conduct detailed needs assessments, and submit strategic plans for high-impact projects within two weeks. These plans must align with the specific needs of your communities,” he directed.
Ibas said in order to ensure transparency, the auditor-general for local governments will be empowered to strictly monitor resource utilization, ensuring that Rivers State citizens receive maximum value for every kobo spent.
The acting Head of Service, Iyingi Brown, described the training as historic, the first of its kind for Rivers State civil servants and expressed confidence that the initiative would yield measurable improvements in service delivery.
“This investment in leadership development will reflect in the quality of governance and public administration across the state,” she said.
