Fubara Swears in 16 New Permanent Secretaries

•Rivers Assembly screens returnee commissioners today

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The Rivers State Governor, Mr Siminalayi Fubara has sworn in the newly appointed 16 permanent secretaries to man the affairs of various ministries at the state secretariat.

They include: Hebron Wisdom, Dede Friday, Briggs Karibo, Nyempe Gregory, Ndah Emmanuel, Ngochindo Epobari, Ishmael Tomonialadieokuma and Wakama Boma George.

Others are: Nweke Kelvin, Okereuku Chinedum, Ndukue Patrick, Ichemati Mbadiwe, Iwarilama-Brown Sabina, Ogolo Eric, Kejeh Chinedu and Jacob Francis.

Swearing in the permanent secretaries yesterday, at the Government House Port Harcourt, Fubara directed the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. George Nwaeke to hand over official cars to the 16 of them.

Addressing them, the governor urged them to be apolitical in their discharge of duties so that the civil service can operate more professionally in serving the state effectively.

Fubara told the permanent secretaries that they were chosen not because they were lucky, but 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, but with their appointment, it is expected that they chart a proper course while committing to do the right things always.

Promising a conductive environment that will enhance their productivity,  Fubara reiterated that his administration has promised Rivers people better welfare with thriving security, saying they are required to key into his policies to ensure better service delivery.

“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 faces will start to change but to see it as 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.”

Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly will today screen and confirm commissioner nominees approved by the state governor.

The nine nominees loyal to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike were formerly commissioners who resigned from Fubara’s cabinet during the heat of the political crisis in the state.

The release sent out by the Clerk, Rivers State House of Assembly, Emeka Amadi, said the nominees include: Zacchaeus Adangor (SAN), Dr Jacobson Mbina, ⁠Dr Gift Worlu, Mrs Inime Chinwenwo-Aguma, Chukwuemeka Woke, Prof Prince  Mmom, Dr George-Kelly Alabo, Isaac Kamalu and Austin Chioma.

According to the release, the screening will be held at the legislative quarters, on Aba Road, Port Harcourt, where the 27 lawmakers presently carry out legislative activities.