A’Ibom Affirms Partnership With Federal Civil Service For Enhanced Viable State Service

By Timothy Ekpo
UYO
Akwa Ibom government has affirmed its readiness to partner the Federal Civil Service with a view to enhancing a viable and effective service delivery of the state civil service.
   The State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, stated this at a dinner organised in honour of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, and  permanent secretaries as well as officials of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), at Government House, Uyo, weekend.
  Represented by the deputy governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, the governor made known the readiness of his administration to collaborate with the Federal Civil Service to improve the operation of Akwa Ibom State Civil Service.
  He stated that such partnership would be knowledge-sharing to add value to existing performance index as critical drivers of efficient public service and sustainable national development.
  The governor said his administration would continue to strengthen collaboration with the Federal Government and key institutions to promote excellence, innovation and best practices in governance.
  Eno noted that while the tenure for elected officials were brief, the civil service remains the enduring institution which allowed continuity in governance, stressing that permanent secretaries and their subordinates were the engine room of government.
   He emphasised that his administration’s ARISE Agenda blueprint attaches immense value to the civil service as the machinery through which government policies were translated into tangible development outcomes.
  The state chief executive expressed appreciation to the Head of Civil Service of the Federation for choosing Akwa Ibom as host for the strategic retreat, noting that the engagement had further reinforced Akwa Ibom’s growing reputation as Nigeria’s preferred destination for conferences, retreats and institutional gatherings.
  On the revenue accrued to the State, Eno said his administration was very strict in the management of funds, with adherence to procurement regulations and had saved the state huge funds.
  He maintained that fiscal discipline, transparency and value for money remained central pillars of the ARISE Agenda, which has positioned Akwa Ibom to deliver transformational projects while adding a healthy fiscal outlook.
  Eno enumerated significant milestones of his administration, saying his government has, within three years, paid over N80 billion in pensions and gratuities to retirees, clearing inherited obligations and restoring confidence among serving and retired workers.
  The governor restated his administration’s determination to strengthen Ibom Air to position it as a regional aviation and investment hub, pointing out that the state was actively engaging more airlines to boost national and international operations, while leveraging its newly completed international terminal.
  While noting the state’s tourism potential, Governor Eno listed the newly developed ARISE Resort Park as a remarkable environmental restoration project to reclaim an erosion-threatened site and transform it into a world-class leisure park.
  The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, lauded Governor Eno for the warm reception and exceptional hospitality extended to the team, attributing the success of the retreat largely to the peaceful environment and excellent facilities provided by the state government.
  Walson-Jack said the experience had effectively transformed the 33 federal permanent secretaries and accompanying directors into ambassadors of Akwa Ibom within the Federal Civil Service, assuring the State of continued collaboration in advancing public sector reforms and institutional excellence.
  The head of civil service of Akwa Ibom State, Mrs Elsie Peters, appreciated Governor Eno for facilitating the historic engagement, describing the interactions between federal and state officials as enriching and transformative.
  Peters affirmed that Akwa Ibom remains committed to implementing far-reaching Civil service reforms and is steadily positioning itself as a national model for efficient, innovative and people-oriented public service delivery.
  Goodwill messages were received from the member representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency and chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Public Procurement, Dr Unyime Idem; the director general, Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr Adebowale Adedokun, while the secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, set the tone for the event.
  The dinner night featured thrilling performances by the Ekemini Cultural troupe, Yama Chorale Group, Akwa Ibom Young professionals and the Harmonic Voices.