Gov. Umo Eno Directs Recruitment of 100 Safety Officers into State Civil Service

 … Inaugurates Two New Boards

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has directed the immediate recruitment of 100 safety officers into the State Civil Service to help implement safety measures in various government facilities.

The Governor gave the directive at the inauguration of the boards of the Akwa Ibom State Investment Corporation (AKICORP) and the Infrastructure and Assets Management and Maintenance Agency, held at the State Executive Chambers, Government House, Uyo.

He noted that there is a need to emphasize safety consciousness in all meetings and safety briefings to avert avoidable occurrences.

Governor Eno stressed that the AKICORP and the Infrastructure and Assets Management and Maintenance Agency boards are not political but professional boards, with members selected based on competence.

The State Chief Executive noted that he is determined to ensure that AKICORP returns to the original vision of its establishment, stressing that any State government’s investments not captured by AKICORP would be presumed non-existent.

He maintained that the industrial park will be made functional and urged members of the AKICORP board to hit the ground running and attract investors from across the globe to the State, especially given the State’s peaceful and business-friendly atmosphere.

Governor Eno noted that the State has assets in different parts of the globe and directed the Infrastructure and Assets Management and Maintenance Agency to take inventory of the State assets and work out modalities to ensure proper management and maintenance.

He expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of the State’s assets in Lagos and Abuja and assured that measures have been put in place to change the narrative.

The Governor further directed the Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien, to conduct a full staff audit of the State public servants, including those in Abuja and Lagos, and to ensure deployment where necessary.

He disclosed that to stimulate all sectors of the State towards the full actualization of the ARISE Agenda, boards will be dissolved in a few weeks and reinaugurated accordingly.

In further demonstration of his detribalized disposition, he said the recruitment of safety officers, as well as any other category of staff, should be all-inclusive and not tilted towards any particular tribe or ethnic group.

According to him, the State is one, and any form of recruitment must have a fair representation of the State, most especially on the grounds of competence.

He congratulated board members and expressed the hope that they will bring their individual and diverse experiences to bear in the execution of their assignments.

The members of the AKICORP Board include Obong Ide Owodiong-Idemeko (Chairman), Pastor Imoabasi Jacob (Managing Director), Barr. Ben Udowa (Executive Director), Pastor Godwin Ukwat (Executive Director), and Mr. Idorenyen Enang (Non-Executive Director, OPS).

Other members include the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Commissioners for Finance, Investment, Lands, Economic Development, and Agriculture.

The Infrastructure and Assets Management and Maintenance Agency has Elder Udo Sam Umoatan (Chairman), Prof. Comfort Etok, Mr. Joshua Ndon Ikpe, the Permanent Secretary of the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, the Permanent Secretary/Accountant General, the State Director of Fire Service, and Barr. Victor Bob as Secretary/Legal Adviser.