Governor Fubara Swears in 8 New Commissioners in Rivers State

Governor Fubara appoints eight new commissioners for the Rivers

The eight commissioner nominees who underwent screening by the state's House of Assembly were sworn in by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Tuesday, May 21.

He tasked them with fostering a culture in which they dutifully documented all of their transactions in their various ministries.

The Governor underlined that because it offers a helpful history of events, choices, and actions, including productivity indicators, such a culture is crucial to the efficient operation of any structured institution, especially the civil service.

The late hours of Tuesday, May 21, saw the swearing-in ceremony held at the Executive Council Chamber of the Government. Prior to this, the State Assembly, under the leadership of Victor Oko-Jumbo, had vetted and approved all eight of the governor's nominees.

The Governor expressed sadness over certain commissioners leaving the administration without following the necessary documentation culture, since they did not have any records of their work in the ministries they had worked in.

He mentioned, “I know what I am saying. Some of them who left here as commissioners, there are no records in their ministries. We've had a few meetings with people. We were looking for records which we could not find, but that is for them and their gods, I am not bothered about that.

“But, you that are coming in now, please, do this work as seasoned administrators. Work with your Permanent Secretaries, the things that you don't know, ask questions from them, they will tell you, they will teach you too. It doesn't reduce you as not being the head. But it helps you to succeed as a good administrator,” he said.

Governor Fubara emphasized that the new commissioners should adopt his work culture and be meticulous in their attention to detail, and that this should be reflected in the type of records they maintain.

He emphasized that discipline is essential to his administration and that everybody connected to his government must uphold it. He developed this work ethic while moving up the civil service levels.

He declared, “Let me say this, this government is a government that is birthed by high level discipline.

“I don't know about other people that are working with me, but as a person, from the time that I started working as civil servant, from the time I worked in the Office of the Accountant General with my boss, we didn't play with keeping good records.

“I can boldly stand here to say that whatever that transpired, the records are there right from the time we worked from 2007 to date. They are there for anybody to go and see.

“Likewise, what happened from the time of the immediate past administration. I carefully kept my records clean. The records are there..

“So, I want you to understand that, while I am sitting here to pilot the affairs of this state, as a matter of fact, the records I am keeping are even more excellent because I have a day-to-day report of what I am doing.”

Governor Fubara further said: “So, I am not bothered or afraid. Call me any day, call me anytime, I will stand and defend every action, every decision that we have taken.

“So, I want you to stand on that premise, knowing fully well that whatever you are doing, in case you are called upon tomorrow to give account, you can do so confidently. Keep your records straight,” he added.

Governor Fubara declared that after taking the oath of office, they have a sufficient code of conduct to govern their behavior while working for the State.

He challenged them to understand that God had given them this opportunity, and as such, they owed it to the people of Rivers State to perform well.

According to him, “The oath you took is the charge. I am not asking you to be obedient to me. I am not asking you to do my bidding. But I am requesting from everyone of you here to defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the dignity of our dear state.

“Your position as a Commissioner today is not just for you to answer to me. It is to work for the interest of our state.

"But I know that with what I have heard, with the few of you that I have related with, I know that you are men of integrity.

“You are not going to bring shame to our dear state, you are not going to bring shame to your families, you are not going to bring shame to your local governments. You will stand tall, no matter the situation,” he said.

Governor Fubara stated that he thinks the addition of the new commissioners will accelerate the accomplishments of his administration. He asked them to make sure that greater success is attained by consistently standing up for what is right and safeguarding the interests of the state.