The Rivers State Government has unveiled plans for the phased rehabilitation of the State Secretariat, as part of a broader commitment to enhancing public service efficiency and workforce welfare.
This announcement was made by the State Administrator, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, during the closing ceremony of a 4-day Transformational Leadership Training Workshop organized by the Rivers State Government in collaboration with the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).
Vice Admiral Ibas emphasized that while capacity-building initiatives like the workshop are critical, the physical work environment must also support productivity and excellence.
He noted that a recent inspection of the State Secretariat revealed challenges such as erratic power supply, non-functional elevators, unsanitary facilities, and inadequate work tools.
To address these concerns, the Administrator announced a phased rehabilitation of the State Secretariat to ensure a modern, efficient, and dignified workspace.
The State Administrator also committed to reviewing 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.
Also, Vice Admiral Ibas charged Local Government Council Administrators to apply the skills acquired during the training to deliver impactful governance.
He directed them to conduct detailed needs assessments and submit strategic plans for high-impact projects within two weeks.
These plans must align with the specific needs of their communities. To ensure transparency, the Auditor-General for Local Governments will be empowered to strictly monitor resource utilization.
Meanwhile, the Acting Head of Service, Dr. Iyingi Brown, described the training 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.
The Rivers State Government has outlined the following next steps: Immediate commencement of Secretariat rehabilitation in phases, Submission of Local Government development plans within two weeks, Ongoing training and welfare reviews to enhance public service efficiency
