Governor Obaseki Appoints, Swears In Key Officials

Edo state Governor, Godwin Obaseki has announced the appointments of SSG, Chief of Staff and Chief Press Secretary.

The governor made the announcement on Monday in Benin while addressing the Head of Service of the state and permanent secretaries.

According to him, Osaridion Ogie will be the new Secretary to the State Government. Taiwo Akerele is the new Chief of Staff while John Mayaki will be the interim Chief Press Secretary. The three men were sworn in immediately.

In his response, Ogie said that the Edo Project was still on course. He urged the governor not to betray the confidence reposed in him by the people of the state that voted him to power.

Civil Servants Should Brace Up -Obaseki

Meanwhile, the Governor he decried the rot that had permeated the civil service at both state and federal levels.

He charged civil servants in the state to brace up for maximum productivity. He said it is satisfying to note that the civil service was one that understood its responsibility as the bedrock of development.

Obaseki maintained that no government or system could succeed with a weak civil service. He said that there was need for civil servants to put in place a system that would support them through old age.

However, he assured that his administration would build a strong civil service that would be vibrant, trusted, competent and reliable in spite of the glaring challenges.

“I have no doubt about the capacity of the civil service. But we will also need to clear the clog on the wheel of progress.”

He further stressed that the state government under his administration would not sack any of its staff. Rather, it would try and get more inputs from them through optimal productivity.

Perm Secs To Hold Forth – Governor

Govenor Obaseki disclosed that his administration would place more emphasis on governance and would work closely with the Permanent Secretaries.

The governor further directed the permanent secretaries to take charge of the ministries in the next six weeks to cut down cost of governance. This is until government’s programmes were properly defined.

He also added that he will study the transition committee’s report in groups with the permanent secretaries. He emphasised that until that was done, no political appointments would be made.

The governor said that the state could not afford a government that would not create value across board. He assured that his administration would be fair and firm in following due process.

He also warned that his government would not fail to sanction any erring civil servant.