By Milcah Tanimu
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has criticized several former commissioners, who recently resigned, for leaving their ministries without proper records. Governor Fubara expressed his concerns during the swearing-in ceremony of eight new commissioners, previously members of the state House of Assembly and loyal to him.
Nine commissioners loyal to former Rivers State Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, resigned recently amid ongoing tensions between Fubara and Wike. During the ceremony at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House in Port Harcourt, Fubara highlighted the issues left by the former commissioners, noting the difficulty in locating essential records within the ministries.
Governor Fubara emphasized the importance of maintaining accurate records for effective governance. He urged the new commissioners to adopt a meticulous approach to record-keeping in their respective ministries. According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nelson Chukwudi, accurate record-keeping is crucial for the smooth operation of the civil service and provides a historical account of decisions and actions, which are vital for productivity.
The newly sworn-in commissioners are Charles Bekee, Collins Onunwo, Solomon Eke, Dr. Peter Medee, Elloka Amadi, Basoene Benibo, Tambari Gbara, and Dr. Ovy Chukwuma. Fubara advised them to work closely with their Permanent Secretaries and not hesitate to seek guidance, emphasizing that doing so would enhance their effectiveness as administrators.
Governor Fubara shared his personal commitment to discipline and record-keeping, stating, “From the time that I started working as a civil servant, from the time I worked in the Office of the Accountant-General with my boss, we didn’t play with keeping good records. I can boldly stand here to say that whatever transpired, the records are there right from the time when we worked from 2007 to date.”
He added, “So, I am not bothered or afraid. Call me any day, call me anytime, I will stand and defend every action, every decision that we have taken.”
Fubara’s remarks underscore the importance of transparency and accountability in governance, urging the new commissioners to uphold these values in their roles.