The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, has explained that the recent recruitment of 4,000 new workers into the state public service was necessitated by identified manpower gaps and critical vacancies that have existed in the state civil service for several years.
The Governor made this known on Tuesday during the orientation and induction exercise organised for the newly recruited workers, which was held at the prestigious Ibom Tropicana Event Centre in Uyo, the state capital, with thousands of participants in attendance.
Governor Eno said his administration embarked on a thorough manpower audit and needs assessment across Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, shortly after assuming office, and discovered that several key sectors of the civil service were grossly understaffed and overstretched.
According to him, the shortage of personnel, occasioned by years of non-recruitment, retirement, deaths and voluntary exits without replacement, had affected efficiency, slowed down service delivery and placed enormous burden on the existing workforce who had to do extra work.
He explained that the recruitment exercise was therefore not a political gesture or a mere attempt to please the public, but a deliberate, strategic and well-thought-out intervention aimed at strengthening the civil service and making it more responsive, efficient and capable of driving the ARISE Agenda of his administration.
The Governor noted that his government remains committed to building a modern, efficient, technology-driven and people-oriented public service that can compete favourably with the best anywhere in the world and effectively implement government policies and programmes.
Governor Eno also used the occasion to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing financial support, interventions and improved federal allocations to states, which according to him, have facilitated project execution and the prompt payment of workers’ salaries and other entitlements across the federation.
He said the improved fiscal space created by the reforms and support from the Federal Government has enabled many state governments, including Akwa Ibom, to embark on critical infrastructure projects, clear outstanding arrears and recruit new personnel to strengthen service delivery without financial strain.
The Governor expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his leadership and for ensuring that states have the necessary financial backing to meet their obligations to workers and citizens, describing it as a demonstration of true federalism and cooperative governance.
He charged the 4,000 newly recruited employees to see their appointment as a rare privilege and a call to service, rather than an opportunity for personal enrichment or complacency, and urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them by the government and people of Akwa Ibom State.
Governor Eno specifically tasked the new workers to demonstrate a high level of professionalism, dedication, discipline, integrity and commitment in the discharge of their duties, noting that the civil service is the engine room of government and must be driven by excellence.
He also urged them to embrace digital skills, innovation and continuous learning, stressing that the modern work environment is rapidly evolving with technology and that every public servant must be computer literate and adaptable to new tools and systems to remain relevant and productive.
According to him, the Akwa Ibom State Government is investing heavily in e-governance, digitalisation of government processes, and capacity building, and therefore expects the new employees to key into the digital transformation agenda and become champions of innovation in their respective MDAs.
The Governor further warned the new employees against truancy, lateness to work, insubordination, corruption and other forms of misconduct that tarnish the image of the public service, stating that his administration has zero tolerance for indiscipline and will not hesitate to sanction erring officers.
He assured them that his government will continue to prioritise their welfare, training, promotion and working conditions, as it has done for existing workers, through prompt payment of salaries, allowances, pensions and other entitlements, as well as provision of conducive working environment.
Meanwhile, the Head of Service of Akwa Ibom State, Mrs Elsie Peters, in her remarks at the event, commended Governor Umo Eno for his exemplary leadership, vision and people-centred approach to governance, which she said has significantly improved the state public service and boosted workers’ morale.
Mrs Peters noted that since the inception of the current administration, the Governor has demonstrated uncommon commitment to the welfare of workers through regular payment of salaries, settlement of outstanding leave grants, promotion arrears and pensions, as well as training and retraining of civil servants.
She described the recruitment of 4,000 new workers as historic, timely and unprecedented in recent times, adding that it will inject fresh blood, new ideas, energy and vibrancy into the service and help to bridge the existing manpower deficit across various ministries and agencies.
The Head of Service congratulated the new employees and urged them to be loyal, diligent, punctual and law-abiding, while also advising them to familiarise themselves with the Public Service Rules, Financial Regulations and other extant guidelines governing the conduct of public officers in the state.
She expressed confidence that the new workers, having been selected through a transparent, merit-based and competitive process, will contribute meaningfully to the growth and transformation of the state public service and the overall development of Akwa Ibom State.
On behalf of the 4,000 newly recruited workers, Miss Etoroabasi Enobong presented a message of profound appreciation and a gift to Governor Umo Eno, describing him as a father figure, a compassionate leader and a leader of great value who has given hope to thousands of Akwa Ibom youths.
Miss Enobong said the recruitment has not only provided employment and a means of livelihood to 4,000 families, but has also restored hope and confidence in government, particularly among young graduates who had waited for years for such an opportunity to serve their state.
She pledged on behalf of her colleagues that they will not disappoint the Governor and the people of Akwa Ibom State, and will discharge their duties with utmost sincerity, diligence, honesty and commitment to justify the opportunity given to them and contribute to the success of the ARISE Agenda.
She also prayed for God’s wisdom, strength and protection for the Governor as he continues to pilot the affairs of the state and implement people-oriented policies and programmes that have direct impact on the lives of the citizens and residents.
The orientation exercise, which featured lectures, presentations and interactive sessions on ethics, public service rules, digital literacy, financial regulations and career progression, was attended by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Aniefiok Johnson, members of the State Executive Council, Permanent Secretaries, political leaders and other top government officials.
The event ended with a group photograph and a renewed commitment by the new workers to serve the state with loyalty, integrity and excellence, as the state government continues to implement reforms aimed at building a world-class public service for sustainable development.
