The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has announced a phased rehabilitation of the State Secretariat Complex as part of efforts to improve public service efficiency and enhance the welfare of government workers.
He made this known during the closing ceremony of a four-day Transformational Leadership Training Workshop held in Port Harcourt. The programme, organized in partnership with the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), was designed to equip Permanent Secretaries, Local Government Administrators, Directors, and senior civil servants with advanced leadership skills aimed at driving reforms in public governance.
Vice Admiral Ibas underscored the importance of matching professional development with improvements in the physical work environment. According to him, a productive civil service must be supported not only through training but also through adequate infrastructure.
“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 said.
In response to these observations, Ibas announced plans to commence a step-by-step refurbishment of the Secretariat complex, ensuring it evolves into a more modern and efficient workspace. He also disclosed that a review of public service welfare policies would be carried out, with the aim of better motivating civil servants based on available resources.
“God willing, I will ensure that your work environment reflects the respect and dignity your service deserves,” he pledged.
The Administrator also addressed Local Government Council Administrators directly, charging them to apply the knowledge gained from the leadership training towards implementing governance reforms that truly benefit their constituents.
He gave them a two-week deadline to submit detailed development blueprints.
“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.
As part of efforts to ensure accountability and transparency in governance, Ibas announced that the Auditor-General for Local Governments will be granted enhanced powers to strictly monitor the use of funds at the local level. He stressed that every expenditure must deliver real value to the people of Rivers State.
Speaking at the event, the Acting Head of Service, Dr. Iyingi Brown, described the training workshop as historic, noting it was the first of its kind for civil servants in Rivers State in a long time. She praised the initiative as a critical investment in leadership development that is bound to have long-lasting effects.
“This investment in leadership development will reflect in the quality of governance and public administration across the state,” she stated.
What you should know
Rivers State Administrator Ibok-Ete Ibas has pledged to rehabilitate the State Secretariat Complex and improve worker welfare, while also launching a landmark leadership training initiative for top civil servants.
He is pushing for actionable development plans and stricter financial oversight to deliver better governance statewide.
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