Eight new permanent secretaries named to head different ministries in the Akwa Ibom State civil service have been tasked to live up to expectations in implementing government policies and programmes as encapsulated in the ‘ARISE Agenda’ blueprint of government.
The state governor, Pastor Umo Eno, who gave the charge while performing their swearing-in at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Uyo, stressed that “the present administration is time-bound to deliver the dividends of good governance to the people, in line with the ARISE Agenda, hence would only appreciate results, and not excuses.”
The newly sworn-in permanent secretaries are Dr (Mrs) Roseline Anthony Mfon, Okon Effiong Tom, Bassey James Ekanem Esq., Mrs Rosemary Aniekan Ubia, Mrs Rita Saturday Akpan-Essien, Mr Aniekan Ubong Akpan, Mrs Eno Ime Akpan, and Doris Tom Ikpuho.
Congratulating the new senior civil servants, the governor said the appointees, drawn from the pool of previously interviewed 32 senior officials, have acquitted themselves well and deserving of the confidence of the Government and people of the state to be so appointed.
He noted that having emerged through a rigorous process where their capacity, judgement and accurate understanding of the aspirations of the ARISE Agenda were tested the administration has no doubt in naming them as the apostles of government in policy implementation.
He, therefore, urged them to be conscious of the high expectations on them, being brought on board in a season when the present administration has to match its deliverables with a specific time frame.
He said: “Last week, I unveiled my Executive Assistant/ Chief Delivery Advisor, Mr. Aniefiok Udo Johnson, a thorough-bred technocrat who has worked for years within the United Nations (UN) system and understands processes and timelines for deliverables.
“He will soon unveil the template of engagement, and I urge all of you to work closely with his office as we measure our deliverables.
“We don’t have the benefit of time on our side. Every available moment must be used to work for the betterment of our people because that is what they sent us here to do. You are to work collaboratively with the Honourable Commissioners who will be in charge or are in charge of your Ministries.
“We are a government of results and not of excuses. So, excuses and weak links shall not be tolerated. Given the pedigree that led to your appointment, I know you will deliver on your new assignments as outlined in the ARISE Agenda,” the governor stated.
Responding, some of the new appointees expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and pledged to give their best to the service of the State.
Doris Ikpuho and Rosemary Ubia, in their separate remarks, declared their resolve as administrative heads of whichever government agency they will be assigned to ensure timely and holistic delivery of the policies and programmes of the ARISE Agenda of the Governor Umo Eno-led administration.
Similarly, Aniekan Akpan and Akparawa Okon Tom saw their appointment as an opportunity to add more value to the service and ensure optimal success for the state government.
