ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, THE GOVERNOR OF DELTA STATE, DR. EMMANUEL EWETA UDUAGHAN, AT THE SWEARING-IN OF FIVE PERMANENT SECRETARIES AND TWO TUTORS-GENERAL INTO THE DELTA STATE CIVIL SERVICE AT THE EXCO CHAMBERS, GOVERNMENT HOUSE, ASABA ON MONDAY 3RD SEPTEMBER, 2007.

We are here to witness the oath-taking of top civil servants as they publicly swear to commit themselves to the honest, selfless and transparent service of the Delta State Government and the people of the State.

Today's event is a peculiar one not only because it is coming early in the life of this administration, but in the fact that two sets of senior civil servants of equal status have just taken the oath of office with one having a new nomenclature. Mindful of the healthy, sometimes, heated debates over the propriety or otherwise of appointing Permanent Secretaries from the Post Primary Education Board by the immediate past administration, this administration has now resolved the issue in favour of both sides.

Permanent Secretaries will continue to be appointed from the mainstream civil service, while those from the Post Primary Education Board who will enjoy the same status, rights and privileges, will now be known as Tutors-General. Similarly, the appointment of Permanent Secretaries in the health sector is a peculiar one used to attract and retain this top cadre professionals in their area of specialisation. They can now look up to being Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health or Head of the Hospitals Management Board. However, their case being peculiar to these professionals, should not necessarily be cited as precedence.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I should remind the Permanent Secretaries and Tutors-General that the oath they have just ascribed to, is not a formality. It is a solemn and willing commitment to both God and man to render service and provide quality leadership in your various ministries and departments. Having attained the peak of your chosen careers, you have assumed the mantle of leadership where you will be the source of inspiration to younger and junior officers and provide shining, enduring and enviable examples for them to emulate.

Discipline and selflessness are virtues praised by all and sundry but very few actually practise. These virtues, as guides to our conduct, will encourage us all to shun corruption, truancy, absenteeism and doctoring of both official and personal records. They will inspire in us, the ability to live the promise of our State through civility, courage, compassion and character. Please emphasize and instil in your subordinates, the spirit of punctuality, fairness, transparent commitment to duty, loyalty and living the full tenets of the oath you have just taken.

You should also uphold the time-honoured tradition of the civil service, which centres on neutrality, anonymity and prudence. Bear in mind that junior officers are constantly watching your conduct and activities. Once you lower your guard or mortgage your conscience, you carry a moral burden of being unable to enforce discipline or instil respect in your subordinates.

This administration abhors indiscipline in all its ramifications. The civil service is the fulcrum around which most activities of government revolve hence the serious attention it has continued to be given by government. Salaries and other emoluments have continued and will continue to be paid as at when due. No worker in the state public service will be denied a deserved promotion.

Government needs an informed, better equipped civil service. In keeping with one of the three focal points of this administration - human capital development - it is germane that my administration will boost and raise the quality of the manpower in the State through sound education, training and motivating the workforce to energise them towards putting in their best for the benefit of the State and its people. Today's event is a good example of the commitment of the Government to encouraging workers and reassuring them that honesty, loyalty, commitment and dedication to duty will be duly rewarded.

I congratulate the Chief Consultant Cardiolist and Head of Department of Medicine, Central Hospital, Warri, Dr. (Mrs) Caroline Ajuya; the Chief Consultant Surgeon and Director, Medical Services and Training, Ministry of Health, Dr. O.P. Ofili; the Chief Consultant Radiologist and Head of Radiology at Central Hospital, Warri, Dr. A.O. Ebinum; the Chief Consultant Leprologist and Executive Director, Delta State Primary Health Care Agency, Dr. Tobi Majoroh; the Director General, Community Development Committee, Mr. S. Panama-Ukperi; for their recognition and elevation to the post of Permanent Secretary. I also congratulate the two principals merit grade, Mrs R. Okotie and Mr. Marcus Ovie for their recognition and promotion to the position of Tutors-General.

I need to remind you that, as Permanent Secretaries and Tutors-General, the public is watching your conduct. You should endeavour to combine diligence and personal discipline, which will be seen through your punctuality to work, attitude, relationship with your subordinates and above all, loyalty, selflessness and commitment to partner with this administration in nurturing a State built on justice and equal opportunity for all.

Office of the Governor,
Government House,
Asaba.

September, 2007.