Rivers State Administrator, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has announced a phased rehabilitation of the State Secretariat Complex, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to enhancing public service efficiency and improving conditions for the state’s workforce.
He made the announcement in Port Harcourt during the closing ceremony of a four-day Transformational Leadership Training Workshop organised in partnership with the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).
The workshop, which targeted Permanent Secretaries, Local Government Administrators, Directors, and other senior officers, aimed to equip participants with modern leadership skills to support governance reforms.
“While capacity-building initiatives like the workshop are vital, the physical work environment must also foster productivity and excellence,” Ibas stated.
He revealed that following a recent inspection of the State Secretariat, he was struck by the poor conditions, including irregular electricity, broken elevators, unhygienic facilities, and lack of essential work tools.
“We cannot demand peak performance while neglecting the basics,” he said, announcing plans to modernise the secretariat and review public service welfare policies to better motivate civil servants within available resources.
“God willing, I will ensure that your work environment reflects the respect and dignity your service deserves,” he added.
Ibas also urged Local Government Council Administrators to apply the training to deliver effective governance. He directed them to conduct comprehensive needs assessments and submit strategic development plans within two weeks.
To ensure accountability, he said the Auditor-General for Local Governments would be empowered to monitor how resources are used, guaranteeing that Rivers citizens receive full value for public spending.
Acting Head of Service, Dr Iyingi Brown, lauded the training as historic, describing it as the first of its kind for the state’s civil servants in years. She expressed optimism that the investment would lead to tangible improvements in governance and service delivery.
“This investment in leadership development will reflect in the quality of governance and public administration across the state,” she said.