300 Directors Jostle For Perm Sec Slots

As the new policy on appointment of Permanent Secretaries takes a foothold in the Rivers State Civil Service, over 300 directors have sat for qualifying examination aimed at determining the best qualified candidates.

Only substantive directors who have been on the position for five years and above are qualified for the examination.

The examinations, held last Friday at the Main Bowl of the Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt, was conducted by officials of the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) led by its South-South Zonal Coordinator, Elder Mike Whetode.

In a brief remarks before the commencement of the examination, the Head of Service, Barrister Samuel LongJohn, said the move was to ensure credibility and transparency in the appointment of Permanent Secretaries as well as guarantee competence and enhanced service delivery in the State Public Service.

He reminded them of the criteria for selection of candidates, warning that anyone who did not fall within the laid down guidelines would be disqualified even if the person made the best result. The examination was the second in the series since the State Government adopted a Federal Government Policy of conducting qualifying exams for appointment of permanent secretaries.

In order to adequately prepare them for the exams, a two day refresher course was organised by the Office of the Head of Service to educate them on what to expect at the qualifying examination, which was a marked improvement from what was obtainable in the past.

Some directors who spoke to newsmen shortly after the assessment tests commended the Head of Service for organising the refresher course and the smooth manner the examination was conducted, expressing the hope that they would excel and be appointed as permanent secretaries.