Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has said that the nine commissioners that recently resigned from his government did not leave any record of service to the state.
Recently, nine key cabinet officials of the state who are strong allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike resigned their appointments citing “toxic” work environment.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of eight new commissioners at the state Executive Council Chambers, Governor Fubara stated that the former commissioners left no reference for their work or state in the ministries as commissioners.
Fubara, therefore, urged the new commissioners to ensure proper record-keeping in their various ministries.
Speaking through a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, Governor Fubara assured the new commissioners of his support at all times.
Part of the statement reads:
“I know what I am saying. Some of them left here as commissioners, and there are no records in their ministries. We’ve had a few meetings with people. We were looking for records which we could not find, but that is for them and their gods, I am not bothered about that.
“But, you that are coming in now, please, do this work as seasoned administrators. Work with your Permanent Secretaries. The things that you don’t know, ask questions from them, they’ll tell you, they will teach you too. It doesn’t reduce you as not being the head. But it helps you to succeed as a good administrator.”
“Let me say this. This government is birthed by high-level discipline. I don’t know about other people who are working with me, but as a person, 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. They are there for anybody to go and see.
“Likewise, what happened from the time of the immediate past administration, I carefully kept my records clean. The records are there.”
“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.”
The newly inaugurated commissioners include, Charles Bekee, Collins Onunwo, Solomon Eke, Dr. Peter Medee, Elloka Amadi, Basoene Benibo, Tambari Gbara; and Dr. Ovy Chukwuma.
Government House source that spoke to FACTSHEET revealed that all the new commissioners will be assigned their portfolios before Friday this week.