To elevate the standards of public service and enforce discipline within government operations, Rivers State Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara has charged the newly sworn-in chairman and members of the State House of Assembly (RSHA) Service Commission and the Local Government Service Commission to achieve greater productivity and uphold the highest standards in the discharge of their duties. The swearing-in ceremony was held on Tuesday at the Executive Chamber of Government House in Port Harcourt and was attended by key political figures, service commissioners, and members of the public.
Governor Fubara, known for his proactive leadership, emphasized that this move is a crucial step toward streamlining governance and ensuring that public institutions operate with transparency, efficiency, and accountability. “As it stands now, our position is very clear. The ship that we are onboard is clear, and the activities of governance have to continue,” the Governor declared. He underscored that the formation of these commissions is not merely a routine administrative exercise but a strategic intervention to address longstanding challenges within the legislative and local government sectors.
During his address, Governor Fubara highlighted the specific responsibilities of the RSHA Service Commission, which now comprises Hon. Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja as chairman, with members Dr. Kennedy Ebeku, Hon. Soberekon Clark, Hon. Jones Ogbonda, and Hon. Kingston Sylvanus. “This swearing-in is to give these two units of government – particularly, the House of Assembly Service Commission – a formal commission so that you can start carrying out the activities of promotion, discipline, and every other function related to legislative staff activities,” he said.
The Governor’s charge extended to ensuring that all parliamentary staff undergo strict disciplinary measures in the performance of their duties. He warned that any form of laxity or deviation from set standards would not be tolerated. “This assignment is not business as usual. You have to take full charge, and you have to ensure that there is discipline in the service,” Governor Fubara stressed.
In a parallel move, the Governor also swore in the chairman and members of the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission. For this commission, Hon. GoodLife Ben was appointed as chairman, joined by Chief Emmanuel G. Jaja, Ms. Betty Warmate, Barrister Jerome Chimenem, Hon. Prince O. Ohochukwu, Barrister Philip Okparaji, and Christian Amadi. Reflecting on the Local Government Service Commission, Governor Fubara explained that while an acting chairman had been appointed previously, the present swearing-in marks the beginning of a fully-fledged commission tasked with steering local government affairs.
Governor Fubara used his address to address a critical economic issue facing many local government councils—the payment of the N85,000 minimum wage. “The various Local Government Councils have been mandated to commence payment of the N85,000 minimum wage to their workers. However, we have received several complaints about ghost workers and inflated payrolls,” he said. “You must support the Local Government Chairmen to get rid of those fake names in the payroll so that when they implement the minimum wage, only genuine workers benefit. I am not saying you should dismiss people who are legitimately employed, but there must be proper scrutiny to ensure that everyone on the payroll is a genuine civil servant who has met all the conditions.”
The Governor also directed the commissions to tackle the issue of stagnation in staff promotion—a practice he described as “ugly” and detrimental to service efficiency. “There is too much dragging of promotions. For someone to be on Grade Level 4 for over 30 years is not good. You must ensure that those due for promotion are adequately advanced so they can enjoy the benefits of statutory progression,” he emphasized.
Throughout his speech, Governor Fubara reiterated his belief in integrity and the need for accountability within government services. “I believe strongly that you will not allow yourselves to be corrupted like those stories we used to hear. Make sure there is an acceptable level of discipline and standard in the Local Government Service Commission,” he affirmed. He also expressed confidence in the capability of the newly sworn-in members to execute their mandate effectively, promising that his administration would provide all necessary support to achieve success.
The Governor’s remarks come amid a broader government drive under the Renewed Hope Agenda to streamline public administration and boost service delivery across Rivers State. By reforming the legislative and local government service structures, Governor Fubara aims to reduce inefficiencies, enhance accountability, and ultimately improve the standard of living for the people of Rivers State.
Industry observers have noted that this initiative is critical for curbing longstanding issues of bureaucratic inertia and ensuring that public institutions operate with the transparency and efficiency that modern governance demands. “The swearing-in of these commissions and the clear directives from Governor Fubara represent a significant step forward in modernizing our state’s public sector,” remarked one governance analyst. “If executed well, these reforms could serve as a model for other states facing similar challenges.”
As the newly formed commissions embark on their mandate, all eyes will be on their performance in the coming months. With strict guidelines in place and a clear charge from the Governor, the expectation is that both the RSHA Service Commission and the Local Government Service Commission will lead by example, driving the necessary reforms that will foster improved productivity, reduced corruption, and higher overall service standards in Rivers State.
For now, Governor Fubara’s resounding call for discipline, accountability, and innovation resonates as a beacon of hope for citizens eager to see tangible improvements in public service delivery. As his administration rolls out these reforms, stakeholders and citizens alike will be watching closely to assess the impact of these critical measures on the future of governance in Rivers State. Stay tuned for further updates as this transformative journey unfolds.
