RSG Announces Phased Rehabilitation Of State Secretariat

… Reiterates Commitment To Workers’ Welfare

The Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), has unveiled plans for the phased rehabilitation of the Rivers State Secretariat, as part of a broader commitment to enhancing public service efficiency and workforce welfare.

Ibas made the announcement during the closing ceremony of a four-day Transformational Leadership Training Workshop organized by the Rivers State Government in collaboration with the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).

The workshop, held in Port Harcourt, last week, was designed to equip Permanent Secretaries, Local Government Administrators, Directors, and senior officers with cutting-edge leadership skills to drive governance reforms.

The Sole Administrator, in a statement by his Senior Special Adviser on Media, Hector Igbikiowubo, emphasized that while capacity-building initiatives like the workshop are critical, the physical work environment must also support productivity and excellence.

“During a recent inspection of the State Secretariat, I took a deliberate walk, floor by floor, to assess working conditions firsthand. The challenges—erratic power supply, non-functional elevators, unsanitary facilities, and inadequate work tools—were sobering. We cannot demand peak performance while neglecting the basics,” he stated.

To address these concerns, he announced a phased rehabilitation of the State Secretariat to ensure a modern, efficient, and dignified workspace.

Ibas also announced a review of public service welfare policies to better motivate civil servants within available resources.

“God willing, I will ensure that your work environment reflects the respect and dignity your service deserves,” he affirmed.

The Administrator also charged Local Government Council Administrators to apply the skills acquired during the training to deliver impactful governance.

“I urge you to return to your councils, conduct detailed needs assessments, and submit strategic plans for high-impact projects within two weeks. These plans must align with the specific needs of your communities,” he directed.

Ibas added that the Auditor-General for Local Governments would be empowered to strictly monitor resource utilization, ensuring that Rivers State citizens receive maximum value for every kobo spent.

He said the Rivers State Government remains committed to building a public service that is efficient, motivated, and equipped to meet the needs of its people.

In her remarks, the Acting Head of Service, Dr. Iyingi Brown, described the training programme as historic, the first of its kind for Rivers State civil servants, and expressed confidence that the initiative would yield measurable improvements in service delivery.

“This investment in leadership development will reflect in the quality of governance and public administration across the state,” she said.