Akwa Ibom: Gov Emmanuel Reads Riot Act To Lobbyists

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has vowed to enthrone excellence and merit in appointments and warned Akwa Ibom stakeholders and political leaders to refrain from putting pressure on him over political appointments. 

Speaking during the swearing in of the new Head of Civil Service and Permanent Secretaries at the Banquet Hall of the Government house, Emmanuel nevertheless said that he may retain most members of the immediate past Executive Council because of the numerous projects he may need them to complete.

“Don’t come and tell me that this person didn’t work during the election and should be dropped, because everybody worked and they all supported me.”

“If you attempt to blackmail anybody, that will even spur me to reappoint that person.”

The Governor charged the newly sworn in Head of the Civil Service, Elder Effiong Edem Essien and Permanent Secretaries, to raise the bar of excellence in the discharge of their responsibilities, also announced that more permanent secretaries would soon be appointed.

“Like I always say, nobody should send me text to lobby for any candidate because that is the surest route to the disqualification of such a person.”

“Once I receive a name of any director from a stakeholder, it means the person is not qualified and lacks self-confidence.”

He expressed his desire to spread the appointments across the Local Government Areas of the State, but decried the absence of qualified personnel from some Local Governments Areas, an issue he said should be of serious concern to stakeholders in such areas.

He urged the new Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Edem Essien  to maintain a good relationship between the labour unions and government for a robust industrial harmony in the state.

The Governor further used the occasion to appreciate the immediate past Head of Service, Mrs Ekerebong Akpan for what he described as her meritorious services to the State and the improvement witnessed in the State’s Civil Service.

He said the new permanent secretaries, Effiong Edet Ekpenyong, Inyang Inyang Jameson and Imoh Bassey Inyang were selected on merit from among the various directors and deputy directors who he personally interviewed.

He further charged the newly sworn in Permanent Secretaries to abide by the oaths they have taken and ensure that their personal interest does not overide the discharge of their official duties.

The newly inaugurated Head of the State Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien who spoke with Journalists shortly after his swearing in, appreciated Governor Emmanuel for finding him worthy for the appointment and pledged to selflessly discharge his duties in the interest of the state.

The event was attended by the Deputy Governor,  Mr Moses Ekpo, the State PDP Chairman, Obong Paul Ekpo, former Governor, Idongesit Nkanga, the PDP National Legal Adviser, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem, past and present government officials as well as families and friends of those appointed.

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