•Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack and Governor Umo Eno
Akwa Ibom State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has identified procurement reform as critical to achieving sustainable development both at the national and sub – national levels.
Addressing Federal Permanent Secretaries in Nigeria who paid a courtesy visit on him at Government House, Uyo, the governor noted that transparent, accountable, and efficient procurement processes ensure that public resources are used wisely, improve the delivery of infrastructure and public services, and strengthen public confidence in government.
The Federal Permanent Secretaries are currently having a four-day Procurement Retreat in the state.
He noted that on assumption of office, one of his administration’s earliest moves was to strengthen procurement law and scrutinise public procurement processes to enhance efficiency.
The governor revealed that the state has saved over ₦200 billion in project costs through rigorous scrutiny of bids using in-house estimates before contract approvals.
According to him, the savings have enabled the government to execute major development projects without borrowing, while ensuring prudent management of public resources.
Governor Eno said his administration had also established a stand alone Ministry of Science and Digital Economy to digitalise government operations, explaining that recruitment, procurement, gratuity payments and other public service processes are now conducted through verified digital platforms, thereby improving transparency, eliminating fraud and enhancing efficiency.
The governor disclosed that his administration inherited gratuity liabilities of about ₦111 billion dating back to 2012 but had already paid ₦87 billion, with plans to clear the outstanding balance before the end of his first term.
He added that salaries and pensions are paid promptly while civil servants are undergoing digital skills training to prepare them for technology-driven service delivery.
The governor said the development strides ranging from the International Airport, roads, and others are dividends of continuity in leadership which he believes in.
He applauded the Federal Permanent Secretaries, whom he described as the engine room of government, for their commitment towards interpreting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision in line with the Renewed Hope initiative, and for choosing to host the retreat in Akwa Ibom State.
Governor Eno encouraged the visiting Federal Permanent Secretaries and their Akwa Ibom counterparts to strengthen professional relationships capable of attracting more federal programmes and development opportunities to the state.
Earlier in her remarks, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, commended Governor Eno for his commitment to good governance, workers’ welfare, infrastructure development and public service reforms, describing the state as a model of purposeful leadership.
Expressing appreciation for the warm hospitality extended to the delegation, the Head of Service said Akwa Ibom had lived up to its reputation as the “Land of Promise.”
She recalled serving in Akwa Ibom during her National Youth Service Corps days in 1987 as one of the pioneer corps members posted to the newly created state, describing the visit as a personal homecoming and expressed delight at the remarkable transformation of the state, particularly its extensive road infrastructure.
Mrs. Walson-Jack disclosed that thirty-three Federal Permanent Secretaries were participating in the procurement retreat jointly organised by the Bureau of Public Procurement and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to strengthen procurement systems, leadership, accountability and effective budget implementation.
She praised Governor Eno’s ARISE Agenda, citing significant progress in infrastructure, healthcare, education, security, economic development, job creation and improved living standards.
She also highlighted the governor’s achievements in modern transportation, digital governance, grassroots security and transparency.
The Head of the Civil Service particularly applauded the Governor’s commitment to workers’ welfare through the payment of inherited gratuities and pensions, recruitment into the civil service, housing support and investment in human capacity development, stressing that a motivated public service remains the engine for translating government policies into tangible benefits for citizens.
Also speaking, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, represented by his Senior Technical Advisor, Prof. Babatunde Bernard, commended the Governor for the laudable transformation in the State, saying he had taken special interest in the State given its unique ambience.
Similarly, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, congratulated the governor on the state’s impressive infrastructure, describing the Victor Attah International Airport as comparable to airports of similar status anywhere in the world.
Dr. Adedokun praised the ongoing infrastructural transformation across Akwa Ibom and announced plans for another visit to conduct a peer review of the state’s procurement system with the House of Assembly as part of efforts to further strengthen procurement reforms.
On his part, the Chairman House Committee on Public Procurement, Rt Hon Unyime Idem, who narrated the different sentiments of appreciation by the visitors, appreciated the Governor for creating an enabling environment that has attracted people from far and near.
At the visit were the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Udeme Otong, Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah who had earlier represented the Governor at the opening ceremony, Head of Service, Mrs Elsie Peters, Executive Assistant/Chief Delivery Advisor, Mr Aniefiok Johnson, Members of the State Executive Council, State Permanent Secretaries, and other government officials.
