BENIN CITY – Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State says the State will begin a process of instant rehabilitation of some of the public offices and restore the pride of the civil service, explaining that everything will be done so that civil servants can work in a safe and efficient environment.
The Governor made the disclosure yesterday when he paid an unscheduled inspection visit to Palm House, Secretariat Building and Block D, which accommodate some of the state ministries and agencies. Also inspected were the Civil Service Commission building and the Civil Service Staff Training Centre all in Benin City.
Governor Obaseki was accompanied by the State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, Secretary to Edo State Government, Hon. Barr. Osarodion Ogie, Head of Service, Mrs Gladys Idahor and Chief Of Staff, Edo State Government, Mr. Taiwo Akerele.
Speaking during the inspection tour, Governor Obaseki said, “Clearly you see, we have a major challenge. You do not expect people to work in this condition and get results. It is not the fault of any one in particular today because as you can see, this complex was designed and most of it constructed, almost 40 years ago. So, the decay started quite a while ago.
He continued, “What we need to do is go back to the drawing board very quickly begin a process of instant rehabilitation of some of the offices and ensuring that we create a parameter fence. We have to create this as an enclave, provide security, provide maintenance and all the facilities required so that our civil servants can work in a safe and efficient environment.”
According to the Governor, “We need a total overhaul, not only cleaning, but the entire process. You could see squatters, you could see traders all over the place, and that in itself creates insecurity for people working here. So, we are going to look at the entire gamut; from ensuring that this place is properly fenced to having a power system. Rather than each ministry having a generating set, we need to have an efficient system that powers the secretariat and the entire complex, ensure that they have water, ensure that the place is properly cleaned and ensure that you have control in terms of access of who comes here and that government documents that are kept here are safe.”
As the inspection was going on, Governor Obaseki intermittently interacted with the Head of Service, Mrs.Gladys Idahor, the Chairman Edo State Civil Service Commission, Princess Mrs. Ekiuwa Inneh and the Permanent of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Peter Ogbodaga.
