News
Why I’m Reforming State Civil Service …Unveils UN Office In PH –Amaechi
Governor Chibuike Amaechi has explained reasons behind the
new restructuring in the state civil service, while hinting of plans to enforce
stricter measures in the preparation of 2013 budget.
Speaking at a three weeks training schedule for Ministries,
Departments and Agencies(MDAs) on budget planning, implementation and
Monitoring System organised by the State Ministry of Budget and Economic
Planning on Monday in Port Harcourt ,Governor Amaechi said the new civil
service policy would make room for creativity and innovation.
He declared,” Government would restructure the Civil
Service, and that is to say, all Directors and Permanent Secretaries who have
served for eight years in either of the positions must be retired, and his or
her pension paid to pension board ‘’.
He added,” by the time we begin to retire the old Permanent
Secretaries and Directors, the new ones would come and learn computer
techniques.’’
The Governor who further responded to questions by some of
the participants argued that the aim of the policy was to create a vibrant and
knowledge driven civil service adding,’’ from henceforth any promotion in the
civil service would be based on ICT proficiency…at least a basic knowledge of
computer while the Senior Officers must have an advanced knowledge’’.
Amaechi also hinted that the same compulsory ICT knowledge
would be enforced among the teachers since government was poised to promote ICT
in the new model schools.
Meanwhile, Governor Amaechi has hinted of plans to ensure
stricter measures in the planning and implementation of next year budget.
‘’ The key to the 2013 budget is that it must be scientific’’
Amaechi remarked,’’ to achieve government policies and programmes, and I would
also demand a statistical breakdown of the budgetary demands by the MDAs to
assess our spending.’’
He stated that as part of the budget making process, all
civil servants must be computer literate and must display the ability to draw
up programmes relating to policy of their Ministries, Departments and Agencies,
“ Iam disappointed that there is low compliance of ICT by
civil servants, and we have not achieved success in training workers to be ICT
compliant,’’ he further said.
Against this backdrop, he assured that his administration
would include the acquisition of computers as well as its distribution to the
different Ministries and Parastatals as part of next years budget.
Speaking earlier, Commissioner for Budget and Economic
Planning, Mr. Levi Gogo Charles described the workshop as an instrument of
understanding the effectiveness of the 2013 budget preparation to achieve the
desired objectives of the current administration.
Gogo Charles assured that the workshop would school
participants in the best principles on how to adnvance the welfare of the
citizenry for a balanceed, transparent and focused budget for 2013 to 2015
planning circle on the medium term expenditure framework.
So far, he said the Governor Amaechi administration has
recorded tremendous success in the areas of health, education, road, power
through accurate appropriation policies.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi
has unveiled a new United Nations(UN) liaison office in Port Harcourt, while
calling for the presence of more international bodies in the state.
Speaking at a special event yesterday to unveil the office,
the Rivers State governor said the presence of more international bodies would
facilitate the objectives of the UN and ensure proper planning that would
promote good governance and better the lots of Rivers people.
“ Although proper planning is an issue in the country’’
Amaechi said, “ there is need for the office to ensure proper planning of
functional structures and institutions to promote good governance and better
the welfare of the people’’.
He commended the efforts of the international body in siting
its office in the state despite the challenges attached with the Niger Delta
agitation, as he pledged the partnership of the state government in ensuring
that activities of the UN bring about the desired development and improved
standard of living of the people.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.