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Civil Service Week: RSG Assures Workers Of Improved Welfare

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There was excitement among thousands of civil servants in Rivers State yesterday as they celebrated the annual civil service week eight years after the last one.
The last civil service week was celebrated in Rivers State in 2015.
Many civil servants could not hide their feelings as they expressed excitement over the return of the civil service week in the State.
A cross session of civil servants who spoke to The Tide noted that the return of the civil service week is a good omen for the civil servants in the State.
The teme for this year’s celebration was “Digitalization of Work Processes in the public Service: Gateway to Efficient Resources Utilization and National Development “
In his opening speech, the State Head of Service, Dr George Nwaeke, said the week offers a platform for civil servants to come together as one “to deliberate on fundamental issues bothering the progress of the public service with a view to seeking viable ways to continually improve the conduct of government business”.
Nwaeke described the civil service as not just a job, but a commitment to serve the people with dedication and integrity.
“We must put the needs of the society above our personal needs
“It is, therefore, important that civil servants take every aspect of their job seriously
“We must understand that our inactivity or inefficiency in any form will mean a disservice to the general populace.
“On the other hand, we can improve the quality of life of our people by approaching our jobs with more commitment, “he said.
He thanked Governor Siminalaye Fubara for his magnanimity towards providing an enabling environment for workers in the State.
Nwaeke also appreciated the governor for restoring water and electricity at the state secretariat.
“The lifts are now functional which makes movement within offices stress free. Also, promotion letters have been released to deserving civil servants and more letters are being expected in no distant times as promotion exercise is an ongoing process”, he said.
Also speaking, chairman, Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Sir Walter Clifford Ndu, said the commission is committed to digitalization of the service.
He said it was in line with this that an online portal platform was established for the last recruitment process.
Ndu listed the importance of digitalization to include efficiency in service delivery and security of individual’s private information, especially as seen in the biometric data capturing.
He commended former Governor Nyesom Wike for initiating the promotion process for civil servants as well as granting approval for employment of 10 thousand youths into the service.
Promising that the commission will ensure the welfare of civil servants in the State, Ndu warned that the commission would not hesitate to punish all forms of acts that are inimical to the progress of the service.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youths, Mr Obed Whyte, in his own remarks, said the return of civil service week in the State would lift the morale of civil servants and improve productivity.
He described the theme for the celebration as apt and urged civil servants to avail themselves of the opportunity provided by Information Communication and Technology (ICT) to improve themselves.
Speaking on behalf of workers, Mr Napoleon Akpe, a director, assured the State Government that civil servants would give their best to the service.
He said the celebration has brought hope of a better tomorrow to civil servants in the State.

by: John Bibor

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Rivers Chief Judge Grants Six Inmates Pardon

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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

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‘Fubara’s Administration Is Driving Transparent Public Procurement’

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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

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NAPPS’ 19th Anniversary: Education Stakeholders Task Govt On Assistance

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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.

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