Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has sworn-in eight new commissioners as members of the State Executive Council (SEC) late Tuesday night.
The eight commissioners included: Hon. Prince Charles Bekee; Barrister Collins Onunwo; Hon. Prince Solomon Abel Eke; Dr Peter Medee; Hon. Elloka Tasie Amadi; Hon Basoene Joshua Benibo; Mr Tambari Sydney Gbara, and Dr Ovy Orluideye Chinendum Chukwuma.
Swearing-in the new commissioners at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Fubara charged them to cultivate the culture of keeping accurate records of their dealings in their various ministries of assignment.
The governor maintained that culture of record keeping was essential for the effective functioning of any organised system, particularly the civil service as they provide useful history of events, decisions and actions, including indices of productivity.
The governor stated that it was regrettable how some commissioners, who had left his cabinet, ignored the culture of proper documentation because they had no record of activities in the ministries where they served.
“I know what I am saying. Some of them who left here as commissioners, there are no records in their ministries. We’ve had a few meetings with people. We were looking for records which we could not find, but that is for them and their gods, I am not bothered about that,” Fubara said.
“But, you that are coming in now, please, do this work as seasoned administrators. Work with your Permanent Secretaries, the things that you don’t know, ask questions from them, they will tell you, they will teach you too. It doesn’t reduce you as not being the head. But it helps you to succeed as a good administrator.”
Fubara urged the new commissioners to emulate his work culture and pay attention to details, adding that it should reflect in the nature of records they keep.
The governor also said discipline is central to his administration, a work culture that has been nurtured while growing through the ranks in the civil service, saying that it must be the hallmark of anybody who is associated with his government.
“Let me say this: this government is a government that is birthed by high-level discipline,” he said.
“I don’t know about other people that are working with me, but as a person, from the time that I started working as civil servant, from the time I worked in the Office of the Accountant General with my boss, we didn’t play with keeping good records.
“I can boldly stand here to say that whatever that transpired, the records are there right from the time we worked from 2007 to date. They are there for anybody to go and see.
“Likewise, what happened from the time of the immediate-past administration. I carefully kept my records clean. The records are there.
“So, I want you to understand that, while I am sitting here to pilot the affairs of this State, as a matter of fact, the records I am keeping are even more excellent because I have a day-to-day report of what I am doing.
“So, I am not bothered or afraid. Call me any day, call me anytime, I will stand and defend every action, every decision that we have taken.
“So, I want you to stand on that premise, knowing fully well that whatever you are doing, in case you are called upon tomorrow to give account, you can do so confidently. Keep your records straight.”
