•••Warn Against Financial Impropriety
Attah Ede, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has sworn-in eight new permanent secretaries in the state civil service and charged them to avoid indulging in any form of financial impropriety in the discharge of their duties.
The newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries include: Godwin Tighil, Agbo Ochekpe Ode, Tsavmbu Beatrice, Helen Nyikyaa, Ali Sulaiman Efu, Ameh Gabriel Adah, Adole Omojo Joy, and Sende Isaac Terkimbir.
Ortom particularly cautioned the permanent secretaries not to compromise civil service rules but to always adopt the correct approach in carrying out their assignments.
The govenor who performed the swearing -in ceremony at Government House Makurdi, implored the new appointees to uphold accountability, transparency, equity, fairness and justice in the discharge of their duties.
“Now that I have appointed you, make sure, if someone comes around and tells you that the Governor said put some money, pad the budget, pad contract so that we will collect it and give it to the Governor, tell the person the Governor told you it is a lie. It is not true.
“If you do it and you are caught, you will go to EFCC. I will not be there with you. I don’t take or encourage padding of budget. I don’t do it,” he emphasised.
He continued “Don’t do anything that you will regret tomorrow. As accounting officers in your respective establishments, always maintain transparency. Always do the right thing. Don’t do anything that will destroy your career.”
Governor Ortom further acknowledged that Permanent Secretaries were the engine room of the government and also charged them to advise political appointees on the correct civil service approach saying “If you have any problem with any of the Commissioners, find a way of letting me know.”
The Governor also cautioned the new Permanent Secretaries to remain apolitical and not get involved in partisan politics.
“As civil servants, don’t indulge in partisan politics. You are free to vote. Don’t go and wear my T-shirt that says you are supporting me for the senatorial election. If you love me on the day of the election go and vote for me. Don’t get yourself involved in canvassing for votes for me or any other person.”
According to the Governor, the appointment of the new Permanent Secretaries was based on merit and seniority.
He pointed out that the principle of equity, justice, fair representation and reward for excellent service to the state were some of the criteria that guided the appointments.
Ortom enjoined the families and relatives of the new perm secs not to mount unnecessary financial pressures on them, to allow them concentrate on their tasks, adding that they were appointed not to make money but offer service.
In a response on behalf of his colleagues, Mr Godwin Tighil expressed appreciation to the Governor and the Head of Service for the opportunity given to them to serve.
They pledged to work in line with the core values of civil service to enable the administration to achieve its mandate.
The State Deputy Governor, Engr Benson Abounu, the Head of Civil Service, Mrs Veronica Onyeke and other members of the State Executive and Security Councils witnessed the swearing in ceremony.
