Governor Siminalayi Fubara has declared that his administration will not tolerate acts of illegality within the state civil service, warning that records of misconduct will be revisited and offenders held accountable.
The governor issued the warning on Friday at the Executive Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt, during the swearing-in of Mr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart as Permanent Secretary.
The oath of office was administered by the Chief Registrar of the State High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi.
Governor Fubara stressed that integrity and due process remain non-negotiable in the discharge of official responsibilities. He said some permanent secretaries failed to uphold the standards of the service during the period of emergency rule in the state, accusing them of compromising their duties.
For every one of you here, Permanent Secretaries who were involved in illegality… be sure your punishment will come. Just be prepared,” the governor warned.
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“But those things that were not done rightly, those ones that didn’t follow the normal process, and that you were involved in. I am sorry for you. The records are there and at the right time, I will bring them up, one after the other, against you.”
While commending Ezekiel-Hart for demonstrating professionalism under pressure, Governor Fubara said his administration would continue to reward integrity and uprightness while sanctioning misconduct.
With commissioners and permanent secretaries being present, Governor Fubara added that the government needs committed professionals to strengthen institutions and rebuild public confidence in the civil service.
