Why I’m Reforming State Civil Service …Unveils UN Office In PH –Amaechi

Governor Chibuike Amaechi has explained reasons behind the
new restructuring in the state civil service, while hinting of plans to enforce
stricter measures in the preparation of 2013 budget.

Speaking at a three weeks training schedule for Ministries,
Departments and Agencies(MDAs) on budget planning, implementation and
Monitoring System organised by the State Ministry of Budget and Economic
Planning on Monday in Port Harcourt ,Governor Amaechi said the new civil
service policy would make room for creativity and innovation.

He declared,” Government would restructure the Civil
Service, and that is to say, all Directors and Permanent Secretaries who have
served for eight years in either of the positions must be retired, and his or
her pension paid to pension board ‘’.

He added,” by the time we begin to retire the old Permanent
Secretaries and Directors, the new ones would come and learn computer
techniques.’’

The Governor who further responded to questions by some of
the participants argued that the aim of the policy was to create a vibrant and
knowledge driven civil service adding,’’ from henceforth any promotion in the
civil service would be based on ICT proficiency…at least a basic knowledge of
computer while the Senior Officers must have an advanced knowledge’’.

Amaechi also hinted that the same compulsory ICT knowledge
would be enforced among the teachers since government was poised to promote ICT
in the new model schools.

Meanwhile, Governor Amaechi has hinted of plans to ensure
stricter measures in the planning and implementation of next year budget.

‘’ The key to the 2013 budget is that it must be scientific’’
Amaechi remarked,’’ to achieve government policies and programmes, and I would
also demand a statistical breakdown of the budgetary demands by the MDAs to
assess our spending.’’

He stated that as part of the budget making process, all
civil servants must be computer literate and must display the ability to draw
up programmes relating to policy of their Ministries, Departments and Agencies,

“ Iam disappointed that there is low compliance of ICT by
civil servants, and we have not achieved success in training workers to be ICT
compliant,’’ he further said.

Against this backdrop, he assured that his administration
would include the acquisition of computers as well as its distribution to the
different Ministries and Parastatals as part of next years budget.

Speaking earlier, Commissioner for Budget and Economic
Planning, Mr. Levi Gogo Charles described the workshop as an instrument of
understanding the effectiveness of the 2013 budget preparation to achieve the
desired objectives of the current administration.

Gogo Charles assured that the workshop would school
participants in the best principles on how to adnvance the welfare of the
citizenry for a balanceed, transparent and focused budget for 2013 to 2015
planning circle on the medium term expenditure framework.

So far, he said the Governor Amaechi administration has
recorded tremendous success in the areas of health, education, road, power
through accurate appropriation policies.

Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi
has unveiled a new United Nations(UN) liaison office in Port Harcourt, while
calling for the presence of more international bodies in the state.

Speaking at a special event yesterday to unveil the office,
the Rivers State governor said the presence of more international bodies would
facilitate the objectives of the UN and ensure proper planning that would
promote good governance and better the lots of Rivers people.

“ Although proper planning is an issue in the country’’
Amaechi said, “ there is need for the office to ensure proper planning of
functional structures and institutions to promote good governance and better
the welfare of the people’’.

He commended the efforts of the international body in siting
its office in the state despite the challenges attached with the Niger Delta
agitation, as he pledged the partnership of the state government in ensuring
that activities of the UN bring about the desired development and improved
standard of living of the people.