From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, on Tuesday swore in 13 new Permanent Secretaries with a charge on them to be non-partisan and act as responsible officers in their various areas of coverage.
The governor, who gave the charge while swearing in 13 new permanent secretaries, said his government carried out due diligence in selecting the new permanent secretaries, insisting that experience, integrity, and a track record of service were the yardsticks 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 an exemplary track record of service.”
He tasked the new administrative Heads of the Ministries to ensure that the 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, however, 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.
“Be advised 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, 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 on behalf of others, 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 Benue public to continue to be supportive to the Alia-led administration emphasizing the need to avoid undue pressure on the new Permanent Secretaries.
The new permanent secretaries are 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.