Jethro Ibileke/Benin
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, says the State will begin a process of instant rehabilitation of some of the public offices and restore the pride of the civil service, explaining that everything will be done so that civil servants can work in a safe and efficient environment.
Obaseki who spoke on Tuesday during an inspection tour of offices at the Palm House Building, State Secretariat Building, Civil Service Commission and Staff Training Centre, in Benin, noted that the buildings require urgent rehabilitation.
“Clearly you see, we have a major challenge. You do not expect people to work in this condition and get results. It is not the fault of any one in particular today because as you can see, this complex was designed and most of it constructed, almost 40 years ago. So, the decay started quite a while ago.
“What we need to do is go back to the drawing board very quickly and begin a process of instant rehabilitation of some of the offices and ensuring that we create a perimeter fence. We have to create this as an enclave, provide security, provide maintenance and all the facilities required so that our civil servants can work in a safe and efficient environment.
“We need a total overhaul, not only cleaning, but the entire process. You could see squatters, you could see traders all over the place, and that in itself creates insecurity for people working here.
“So, we are going to look at the entire gamut; from ensuring that this place is properly fenced to having a power system rather than each ministry having a generating set, we need to have an efficient system that powers the secretariat and the entire complex, ensure that they have water, ensure that the place is properly cleaned and ensure that you have control in terms of access of who comes here and that government documents that are kept here are safe.”
Governor Obaseki was accompanied on the inspection of offices by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Philip Shaibu, the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Osarodion Ogie, the Chief of Staff, Mr. Taiwo Akerele and the Head of Service, Mrs. Gladys Idahor.
Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.