No Space For Stragglers In Public Service, Akeredolu Tells Newly Inaugurated Perm Secs

By Niyi Olutunde, Akure

Ondo state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has said there will be no space for stragglers in the public service saying that all heads of units shall be expected to account for all workers under their leadership.

Akeredolu stated this at the weekend in Akure at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and Tutors-General in the state.

Akeredolu who charged the newly appointees to be polite to members of the public on behalf of the offices they represent said anyone who works against the general interest of the people would be pursued and sanctioned vigorously.

“We shall continue to take measures which will assist in blocking the leakages which threaten the very existence of the State. Resourceful public servants will be encouraged with incentives. Unscrupulous and aberrant behavior will attract sanctions. Nobody would be persecuted under our watch”, he said.

According to Akeredolu, the promotion exercise for deserving officers in 2019 is already in progress stressing that none of those deserving promotion would be denied.

He also admonished members of the newly appointees to desist from mounting pressures on them.

His words, “Let us celebrate this moment moderately and return for the onerous task ahead. The entire Public Service will be looking up to you for purposeful and result-oriented leadership. You cannot afford to betray the trust which these appointments signify.
You can always count on our leadership for support at all times.

“Resist any overture which readily compromises professionalism. Be firm in your dealings with politicians and your colleagues. Be polite to members of the public on behalf of whom your offices are established.

“Be ready to render an account of your stewardship anytime you are called upon. Nobody will be allowed to take the people for granted. We will be keenly interested in the activities of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the days ahead.

“Government will stay committed to workers’ welfare and motivation. We understand the necessity for capacity-building and I have given my words to the Head of Service in that regard.

“Many of our citizens are on the waiting list. Now is the time for anyone whose interests stand at variance with our administration’s aspirations for progress to step aside, honourably. I wish to reiterate the fact that nobody will be permitted to shortchange the people. We hope it will not be our sad service to show any errant public servant the way out. We will be firm and unsparing”.

Akeredolu however congratulated all the newly appointees and enjoin them to rededicate themselves to the service of the people.

“The promotion exercise, which made this celebration possible, is not predicated on politics. All those who deserve elevation shall be promoted”, he added.