*Says Police, Administrative Panels To Work Independently
*Urges Self-Restraint Among Civil Servants
DELTA State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has described the death of a Deputy Director in the state Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Unity Adeda, as tragic, explaining that he was unable to comment fully on the circumstances surrounding the incident before now because the matter was already being investigated by the Police.
Oborevwori, however, assured Deltans, especially the bereaved family, that the government would not allow the matter to be swept under the carpet, adding that “justice will prevail.”
Speaking for the first time on the matter, on Monday, October 5, at the send-forth ceremony for the immediate past head of service, retired permanent secretaries and heads of extra-ministerial departments at Unity Hall, Old Government House, Asaba, the governor explained that the task of the state government’s administrative panel on the matter was distinct from the Police investigation, as it is merely to establish whether any civil service rules or regulations were breached by the officials involved and make recommendations to prevent a recurrence.
He dismissed concerns of possible cover-up by the panel, saying government deliberately excluded politicians from the panel “for the sake of transparency and to avoid suspicion,” as its investigation would neither undermine nor frustrate the Police probe.
Oborevwori called for a one-minute silence in honour of the deceased, while conveying the government’s condolences to the Adeda’s family.
On lessons from the tragedy, the governor urged civil servants to exercise maximum restraint, particularly when confronted with provocation, noting: “This tragedy is a cautionary tale to all of us to always exercise maximum restraint and maintain calmness even in the face of extreme provocation.
“Self-control is the hallmark of maturity.”
The governor used the occasion to announce that public servants in the state would soon receive a major welfare boost with the proposed 13th month salary, whose Executive Bill had already been passed and would receive his assent in the coming days as part of his administration’s determination to leave behind a highly motivated, competent and performance-driven workforce.
He disclosed that over 500 civil servants across 19 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) had so far received training on the digitalisation of the civil service to enable faster, more efficient and cost-effective government operations, while performance-monitoring mechanisms had also been introduced to make workers more result-oriented and accountable.
Oborevwori said his administration was committed to improving the working and living conditions of civil servants, adding that every serving permanent secretary now has an official vehicle, while a fleet of vehicles had been acquired for officials of the Local Government Service Commission, in addition to increased access to the Public Officers Housing Loan and Vehicle Loan schemes.
He pointed to the recent commissioning of 12 terrace duplexes for serving permanent secretaries and approval of another 12 as indication of government’s commitment to providing civil servants with the tools and facilities required to perform effectively.
Oborevwori commended the retired senior civil servants for their years of service, describing the ceremony as a worthy tradition for recognising public officers who had served the state meritoriously, urging serving officials to emulate the retirees and build on the standards they had established.
