…Charges them to be non-partisan, responsible
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has charged the thirteen newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries to be non-partisan and discharge their duties with a high sense of responsibility.
The Governor who gave the charge Tuesday at the Old Banquet Hall of Government House Makurdi, shortly after swearing in the new Permanent Secretaries said his administration diligently selected the new Permanent Secretaries adding that experience, integrity as well as their track record of service were the yard stick for the selection.
“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,” he explained.
He therefore charged the new Administrative Heads of the various Ministries to ensure that staff adhere to the codes of the Civil Service, instilling in them the culture of discipline and respect for constituted authorities.
While stressing that the appointment of the new Permanent Secretaries was not political patronage but reward for hard work, Governor Alia, however, warned that any of the Permanent Secretaries found wanting in the discharge of their duties would be sanctioned appropriately.
“Note that 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 who held forth before the swearing in, some of whom have not been confirmed, for doing a great job, saying he did not receive any news of misconduct or an attempt by them to shortchange the system.
Responding, the Permanent Secretary, Government House Administration, Mr. Bartholomew Geraga, appreciated the Governor for finding them worthy to serve the state in that capacity and assured that they will justify the confidence reposed in them, assuring that they will do everything in their powers to deliver on the new assignment.
Geraga appealed to the general public to be supportive, emphasizing the need to avoid undue pressure on them in order for them to serve the state effectively.
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.
