The Government of Rivers State, south-south Nigeria, has sued for sustained reforms, strategic capacity development and digital transformation of the public service in the country.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara made the recommendation at the opening ceremony of the 48th Meeting of the National Council on Establishments (NCE) in Port Harcourt, the capital city of Rivers State.
Fubara, who said that government must continually reposition public institutions to meet the demands of the twenty-first century, commended the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack for providing strong leadership and instituting reforms designed to uplift service to the people.
“With rapid technological advancement, changing workforce dynamics, increasing citizen expectations and emerging global realities, there is a need for a public service that is agile, digitally enabled, accountable and driven by excellence,” he stated.
He described the public service as the engine room of government through which policies were translated into tangible programmes and implemented in line with development priorities for the benefits of citizens.
Fubara stated, “as custodians of public service administration, entrusted with responsibilities relating to establishment matters, human resource management, job evaluation, career progression and conditions of service, your decisions have far-reaching implications for national development, institutional effectiveness, and the quality of governance.
“Indeed, the strength of any government is ultimately reflected in the quality of its public service. A professional, disciplined, innovative and performance-driven civil service remains the foundation on which sustainable economic growth, institutional stability and public confidence are built,” the governor said.
He urged the NCE to approach its deliberations with vision, courage and strong commitment to national progress as well as proffer practical and implementable recommendations that would strengthen institutional capacity, promote transparency, deepen professionalism and improve productivity throughout the Nigerian Public Service.
Rivers State experience
On the reforms in the Rivers State civil service, he said, “beyond implementing a minimum wage that exceeds the nationally approved threshold, we have sustained the prompt payment of salaries, pensions, gratuities and Christmas bonuses. We have also restored regular promotions, ensuring that dedication, competence and years of service receive the deserved recognition.
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“Furthermore, work is at an advanced stage on the comprehensive renovation and modernisation of the State Secretariat Complex, which will provide our workforce with a modern, safe, technology-driven and conducive working environment that reflects the dignity and importance of public service.
“These initiatives demonstrate our unwavering conviction that when public servants are properly motivated, equipped, and empowered, they become stronger partners in delivering efficient governance and improving the quality of life of our people,” he noted.
He commended the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation for the leadership and transformative reforms introduced to reposition the Federal Civil Service and expressed the hope that the outcome of the meeting would influence the future direction of public service administration.
The 48th Meeting of the National Council on Establishments was attended by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack and the Heads of Service of the thirty-six (36) states and the Federal Capital Territory.
