The Akwa Ibom State Government has announced the recruitment of 4,000 new workers into its public service. This step is part of an initiative to strengthen the state’s workforce, according to Governor Umo Eno, who made the announcement during an orientation session for the newly hired individuals at the Ibom Tropicana Entertainment Centre in Uyo.
Governor Eno explained that the recruitment was driven by the need to fill existing vacancies and improve the efficacy of public institutions. He emphasized that the appointments were made based on identified vacancies, rather than an aim to inflate the workforce unnecessarily.
The governor noted that a staff verification exercise conducted at the start of his term had revealed over 2,000 ghost workers and several retirees, highlighting significant gaps in the workforce. He stated that this recruitment effort is vital for ensuring government departments are adequately staffed to fulfill their responsibilities effectively.
Moreover, Eno urged the new employees to view their appointments as a chance to serve the public and contribute positively to the state’s development. He called on them to demonstrate commitment, discipline, transparency, and professionalism in their new roles and stressed the importance of embracing technology as the state moves towards the full digitalization of public services.
The governor also reassured the new employees about his administration’s dedication to ensuring timely payment of salaries and benefits, expressing gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for facilitating funds that aid in project execution and the payment of workers’ entitlements.
In her remarks, the Head of Service, Mrs. Elsie Peters, expressed confidence in the quality of the new workforce. She described the orientation programme as crucial preparation for the tasks ahead and highlighted that the success of the new employees would significantly impact the quality of public service delivery in Akwa Ibom State.
“For the 4,000 new employees, the real task begins now. Their commitment, conduct and performance will determine how well this opportunity translates into better service for the people of Akwa Ibom State,” Peters added.
