Permanent Secretaries across various Ministries in Edo State have pledged their loyalty to Governor Monday Okpebholo, assuring him of all necessary supports in ensuring his administration succeeds.
The Head of Service (HOS) Dr. Anthony Okungbowa who spoke on behalf of the Permanent Secretaries during a meeting with His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Executive Governor of Edo State at the Exco chamber in Government House, said civil servants across the state will be loyal, dedicated and committed to duty to ensure his administration succeed.
“I have the honour to present to you, your Excellency, your Permanent Secretaries in Edo State Civil and Public Service.
“Your Excellency, during your inaugural speech, you said you will work on the civil service.
“It shows you recognize the importance of Civil and Public Service in the scheme of things and committed even before the inaugural speech, that you will do something to power the initiative of government.
“There is nothing government does without the instrumentality of the Civil and Public Servants in the State.
“The first meeting you are holding with any group as Governor is with the Civil and Public Servants in Edo State.
“Your first few steps taken in less than 24 hours shows you are a doing Governor and we will support you to succeed,” Okungbowa said.
In response, Governor Monday Okpebholo thanked the Permanent Secretaries across various Ministries for holding forth as account officers.
“I thank the Permanent Secretaries for holding forth. I believe that the Permanent Secretaries are the account officers. Civil and Public Servants remain in the system but politicians come and go.
“I urge you to open your arms so we can work together to move the State forward. I am happy to meet with you as this is a familiarization meeting, as I will meet with you one on one to interact with you.
“I believe that files are important, as you can call on files at anytime. E-Governance is important but we still need files as it’s important as back up when anything happens to the system.
“Edo State belongs to all of us, and with your collective contributions, we would move Edo State forward and have the Edo of our dream,” Okpebholo said.
The Governor assured the people of Edo State that his administration’s commitment to utilize the State’s resources to work for Edo people and develop the State.
“We must work for this State as the money for Edo belongs to Edo people, and must use it for Edo people.
“PS are heads of their various Ministries, and they are the accounting officers, and if anything goes wrong, they will be held accountable,” he emphasised.
