Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has stated that his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the FCT, left behind a civil service that was nearly dysfunctional when he assumed office in 2023.
“When we came on board, we inherited a near-dead civil service. A service that there was no promotion for 11 years,” Mr Fubara told the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, at Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday.
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This was revealed in a statement on Monday by Governor Fubara’s spokesperson, Chukwudi Nelson.
Fubara pointed out that, aside from the lack of promotions, the state’s civil service had not seen any staff training since 2010.
He noted that during Nyesom Wike’s eight-year tenure as governor, no civil servants were promoted or given training opportunities.
At the time of the last training in 2010, Rotimi Amaechi was serving as the governor of Rivers State.
“When the Nigerian Institute of Management visited us earlier, we assured them that they are going to be consultants to the civil service in terms of training, which is key.
“Training is the only thing that can build the service that will give us that level of result – result of transparency, efficiency, even assurance that there is hope. It is only when you start building them, and they feel secure, that they also understand that something is at stake.
“I can’t remember the year that any of the civil servants here had gone for any training. I think the last time we did training was in 2010. That was the last time the civil service was involved in any training. So, I know what it means because that is my primary constituency,” Mr Fubara, a former accountant general of Rivers, said.
In July, President Bola Tinubu appointed Mrs. Walson-Jack as the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
Mrs. Walson-Jack, a native of Rivers State, was appointed as a federal permanent secretary in 2017 and has served in various ministries.
Governor Fubara expressed his gratitude for her visit and remarked that many government officials avoid visiting him to avoid being in the “bad books of someone.”
“I feel very honoured. I am overwhelmed with so much joy, and my reason is this: We’ve had cases where people come into our state, people come in to represent the president in events, and they don’t bother paying courtesy.
“The singular reason is for fear of some persons in Abuja,” Governor Fubara said, alluding to his predecessor, Mr Wike, with whom he is at loggerheads.
“So, I am really happy that you are doing what is the normal standard everywhere in the federation.
“Somebody of your calibre cannot come into Rivers State without paying a courtesy call to the Governor. And by that, we also recognise you because if anything happens to you while you are here, it is our problem. So, I want to thank you for honouring us,” the governor said.
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Mrs. Walson-Jack assured the governor of her commitment to elevating Rivers State’s concerns and aspirations at the highest levels of government. She pledged her support for initiatives aimed at benefiting the state.
She also highlighted that the ongoing reforms in the federal civil service are centered on performance management and digital transformation to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency.
“In today’s rapidly changing world, technology has become indispensable. We have embraced digitalisation in the Federal Civil Service to streamline processes, enhance communication and deliver better services.
“I look forward to discussing how the Federal and Rivers State civil service can collaborate on technology-driven initiatives that can serve as a model for other states and regions.”
She committed to collaborating with Mr. Fubara to explore ways to further strengthen the Rivers State civil service. This includes prioritizing initiatives like capacity building, enhancing transparency and accountability, and encouraging greater citizen engagement. She emphasized the potential to create a civil service that not only meets but exceeds expectations.
“Your leadership vision and dedication to good governance are not just commendable but also critical to the success of our efforts at the federal level.
“I am confident that together, we can advocate for policies that would unlock Rivers State’s full potential and ensure its citizens have access to the resources and opportunities needed for sustainable growth and development,” she said.
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