The Rivers State Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has announced plans for the phased rehabilitation of the State Secretariat Complex.1 This initiative underscores his commitment to boosting public service efficiency and improving the welfare of the workforce.
Ibas made the announcement during the closing ceremony of a four-day Transformational Leadership Training Workshop, organized by his administration in collaboration with the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).
The workshop, held in Port Harcourt, aimed to equip Permanent Secretaries, Local Government Administrators, Directors, and senior officers with essential leadership skills to drive governance reforms.
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Ibas stressed that while capacity-building efforts like the workshop are vital, the physical work environment must also support productivity.
“During a recent inspection of the State Secretariat, I took a deliberate walk, floor by floor, to assess working conditions firsthand. The challenges—erratic power supply, non-functional elevators, unsanitary facilities, and inadequate work tools were sobering. We cannot demand peak performance while neglecting the basics,” he stated.
To tackle these issues, the Administrator revealed a phased rehabilitation plan for the State Secretariat to create a modern, efficient, and dignified workspace.
He also mentioned a review of the public service welfare policy to better motivate civil servants within available resources.
He affirmed, “God willing, I will ensure that your work environment reflects the respect and dignity your service deserves.”
Ibas also directed Local Government Council Administrators to apply their newly acquired skills to deliver impactful governance.
He urged them to submit development plans within two weeks. “I urge you to return to your councils, conduct detailed needs assessments, and submit strategic plans for high-impact projects within two weeks. These plans must align with the specific needs of your communities,” he directed.
To ensure transparency, he noted that the Auditor-General for Local Governments will be empowered to closely monitor resource utilization, ensuring Rivers State citizens receive maximum value for every expenditure.
In her remarks, the Acting Head of Service, Dr. Iyingi Brown, hailed the training as historic, marking the first of its kind for Rivers State civil servants in a long time.
She expressed confidence that the initiative would lead to noticeable improvements in service delivery, stating, “This investment in leadership development will reflect in the quality of governance and public administration across the state.”
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