By Chiangi Avese, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has charged the new Permanent Secretaries in the State to be non-partisan, and act as responsible officers in their areas of coverage.
The Governor who gave the charge at the Benue State Government House Makurdi, on Tuesday while swearing in 13 new permanent secretaries said, due diligence was carried out in selecting the new permanent secretaries, and stressed that experience, integrity, track record of service were the the yard stick for the selection.
The new Permanent Secretaries include: Dr. Elvis Ogenyi, Mr. Cephas Hough, Mrs. Bibiana A. Tyoishi, Dr. Philip Nongu, Mrs. Martha Edor, Sir James Iorpuu, Mr. Batholomew Geraga, Mrs. Eunice Ihu Ogbenyi, Barr. Thomas Ese, Debbie M. Amine Esq, Engr. Donald K. Wakwagh, Mrs. Helen Nembativ and Ogaagbenu Elijah Agweye.
Gov. Alia said, “as a government, we took our time to search carefully and conducted due diligence to arrive at these thirteen Officers. We also consulted widely to ensure that their appointments were based on merit. Indeed, they are Civil Servants with cognate experience, proven integrity and exemplary track record of service”, Gov. Alia said.
He tasked the new administrative Heads of the Ministries to ensure that staff adhere to the codes of the Civil Service, and to instill in them the culture of discipline and respect for constituted authorities.
While emphasizing that the appointment of the new Permanent Secretaries is not political patronage but reward for hard work, Governor Alia, warned that any of the Permanent Secretaries found culpable of misconduct or anything capable of tarnishing the image of his government would be made to face appropriate sanctions.
“You must avoid partisan politics and conduct yourselves as responsive and responsible Officers who are duty bound to implement policies and programmes of the administration in line with its seven point agenda.
Sounding a note of warning, the governor said, “anyone of you found culpable of any form of misconduct or anything capable of tarnishing the image of this government would be made to face appropriate sanctions. Our eyes would be placed on you not to police you but ensure that you do the right things all the time.”
He commended the covering Permanent Secretaries, some of whom have not been confirmed, for doing a great job, saying he did not receive any news of misconduct or an attempt to shortchange the system by them.
Responding, the Permanent Secretary, Government House administration, Mr. Bartholomew Geraga, appreciated the governor for the trust reposed in them, assuring that they will do everything in their powers to deliver on the new assignment.
He appealed to the general public to be supportive, emphasizing the need to avoid undue pressure on the new Permanent Secretaries.
