Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong has sworn in the new Head of Service Engr. Sunday Chong Hyat and 14 new Permanent Secretaries with a warning for them to guard against politicising the service.
Governor Lalong said the appointments which were made purely on merit, became necessary to fill existing vacancies created by the retirement of the Head of Service Mr. Izam Azi, mni and some Permanent Secretaries.
He urged them to consider their appointments as a great privilege to contribute their quota towards building a greater Plateau State by showing excellence and patriotism.
He said “Your appointments are not opportunities to engage in self-aggrandizement, self-enrichment and pursuance of parochial interests. Rather, these responsibilities demand that you take your commitments to the next level by exhibiting high sense of duty and patriotism. I expect you to be above board in your conduct in order to assert yourselves and earn the confidence of those under you. You must play strategic roles as mentors and leaders and be able to punish indolence and reward excellence and loyalty. Do not celebrate nor promote mediocrity, laziness and non-performance”.
Lalong also warned them against promoting the matters of ethnicity and politics in the civil service saying “I will also be watching you closely to ensure that you do not only supervise those under you, but will not hesitate to sanction any of you who fails to deliver his or her duties as expected. Let me warn you against promoting ethnicity, religion or politicising the civil service. Such actions will not be tolerated as the civil service is a professional calling which must remain so”.
To further strengthen professionalism in the civil service, the Governor directed that henceforth, appointments to the position of Permanent Secretary shall be based on professional aptitude tests and examinations that are ICT-based. This will also cascade down to other levels as we move governance towards e-platforms that will improve efficiency, productivity and value.
Lalong used the occasion to reassure Plateau State civil servants of the commitment of his administration to continue to prioritise their welfare and well-being. He challenged the new Head of Service and Permanent Secretaries to work hard and promote better industrial harmony between the Government and its employees, saying he has directed that a Permanent Secretary be designated to handle labour matters in the office of the Head of Service.
Responding on behalf of the appointees, the new Head Service Engr. Sunday Hyat appreciated the Governor for the previlege offered them and assured that they will put in their best to serve the administration and the people of the State.
