The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has charged newly appointed Permanent Secretaries to uphold public trust by prioritising accountability, transparency, and effective policy implementation.
He gave the charge on Thursday during the swearing-in ceremony of eight Permanent Secretaries held at the Executive Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt.
Emphasising the pivotal role of civil service leadership in promoting good governance, Ibas described the appointments as both strategic and timely, noting that the departure of experienced officers had created significant administrative gaps.
“Your emergence at this time is critical,” he said. “You must promote peace through good governance by ensuring efficient service delivery. Your work must translate into tangible improvements in the daily lives of our citizens—beyond activity to measurable outcomes.”
The retired naval chief urged the new officials to be catalysts for public sector reform, embracing innovation, digital transformation, and improved inter-ministerial coordination to enhance performance across government.
He issued a stern warning against financial misconduct, stressing the importance of fiscal discipline and transparency.
“Government must operate as a unified system, pursuing common goals. Every naira allocated must be prudently spent and fully accounted for,” he said. “Be deliberate, transparent, and accountable in all financial matters. Fiscal responsibility is non-negotiable.”
Ibas further encouraged the appointees to challenge bureaucratic inertia, champion ethical leadership, and restore public confidence in the civil service through excellence and results-driven administration.
The newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries are Imaonyani Roselin Ephraim-George, Dabite Sokari George, Soibitein Duke Harry, Lauretta Davies Dimkpa, Uche R. Ideozu, Jeremiah Egwu, Nicholas Iminabo Wokoma, and Vera Sam Dike.
