UYO
The Akwa Ibom State government has affirmed its readiness to partner the Federal Civil Service with a view to enhancing effective service delivery .
The State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno stated this at a dinner in honour of Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), Mrs Didi Esther Walson- Jack, Federal Permanent Secretaries, and officials of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), in Uyo, Akwa Ibom .
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, the Governor who spoke at the event which marked the end of a two-day retreat led by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation ,indicated the readiness of his administration to collaborate the Federal Civil Service to improve the operation of Akwa Ibom State Civil Service.
Eno stated that such partnership would be knowledge-sharing to add value to existing performance index as critical drivers of efficient public service and sustainable national development.
The Governor said his administration would continue to strengthen collaboration with the Federal Government and key institutions to promote excellence, innovation and best practices in governance.
The state chief executive noted that while tenure for elected officials were brief, the civil service remained the enduring institution which allowed continuity in governance, stressing that permanent secretaries and their subordinates were the engine room of government.
He emphasized that his administration’s ARISE Agenda blueprint, attached immense value on the Civil Service as the machinery through which government policies were translated into tangible development outcomes.
Eno appreciated the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation for choosing the state as host for the strategic retreat, noting that the engagement had further reinforced Akwa Ibom’s growing reputation as Nigeria’s preferred destination for conferences, retreats and institutional gatherings.
On the revenue accrued to the state, Eno stated that administration was very strict in the management of funds, with adherence to procurement regulations, and had saved the state huge funds.
Eno maintained that fiscal discipline, transparency and value-for-money remained central pillars of the ARISE Agenda, which has positioned the state to deliver transformational projects , while adding that a healthy fiscal outlook.
He enumerated significant milestones of the administration to include ;the payment within three years,over ₦80 billion in pensions and gratuities to retirees, clearing inherited obligations and restoring confidence among serving and retired workers.
The Governor reiterated his administration’s determination to strengthen Ibom Air, to position it as a regional aviation and investment hub, pointing out that the state was actively engaging more airlines to boost national and international operations, while leveraging its newly completed international terminal
Highlighting the state’s tourism potential, Eno listed the newly developed ARISE Resort Park as a remarkable environmental restoration project to reclaim an erosion threatened site into a world-class leisure park.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation ,Walson-Jack in her response ,lauded Governor Eno for the warm reception and exceptional hospitality extended to the team,attributing the success of the retreat largely to the peaceful environment and excellent facilities provided by the state government.
Walson-Jack said the experience would effectively transformed the 33 Federal Permanent Secretaries and accompanying directors into ambassadors of Akwa Ibom within the Federal Civil Service, assuring the state of continued collaboration in advancing public sector reforms and institutional excellence.
The Akwa Ibom State Head of Civil Service, Mrs. Elsie Peters, appreciated Governor Eno for facilitating the historic engagement, describing the interactions between federal and state officials as enriching and transformative.
She affirmed that Akwa Ibom remains committed to implementing far-reaching Civil Service reforms and was steadily positioning itself as a national model for efficient, innovative and people-oriented public service delivery.
Goodwill messages were received from the member representing Ukanafun /Oruk Anam Federal Constituency and Chairman House Committee on Public Procurement ,Mr Unyime Idem, the Director General, Bureau of Federal Procurement ,Dr Adebowale Adedokun while the Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State government ,Prince Enobong Uwah set the tone for the event.
The event featured thrilling performances by the Ekemini Cultural Troupe ,Yama Chorale group, the Akwa Ibom Young Professionals, as well as Harmonic voices.