By Nwogha Ndubuisi Andy, Abakaliki
In a way to improve workforce and productivity, the newly inaugurated Head of Service,Comrade Mrs Jennifer Adibe-Nwafor on Thursday 1st June,2021 introduced electronic attendance for staff as she officially took over her office as the acting Head of Service Ebonyi State.
Comrade Mrs Adibe-Nwafor who was on Wednesday directed by Governor Umahi to commence duty with immediate effect and asked the out-gone Head of Service, Dr Chamberlain Nwele to hand over to her without delay.
To this effect, Mrs Adibe-Nwafor, who is also the Special Assistant to the Governor on Inter-Party and Labour Matters, has been handed over by the Permanent Secretary in the office of the State Head of Service, Deacon Martins Uguru.
While Speaking, the new acting Head of Service, Comrade Mrs Adibe-Nwafor thanked God who through Governor Umahi appointed her into the position of honour and described her appointment as divine.
She further thanked Governor Umahi for the offer, and described him as the Professor of Infrastructure and the best workers’ friendly Governor across the nation.
She also thanked the Permanent Secretary who handed over to her, and all the workforce in the office for turning out en mass during the event.
She commended the out-gone Head of Service, Nwele, noting that he has actually tried his best with his selfless service to the State and prayed God to continue to uplifting him higher.
The new Head of Service promised to run an open door policy, and asked all the staff to feel free while meeting her when the need arises.
“I really thank you the workers, before now we’ve actually working together but not always seeing ourselves. I really appreciate you and assure you that my appointment doesn’t mean we can’t interact as we used to do before today.
“I will be running an open door policy, so, I want us to be working together to make sure we move Ebonyi State forward, because all of us here are brothers and sisters.
“We know the policy trust of this administration, there are many things workers still want to know, but if we will be able to reach out very well, this is an opportunity to accomplish this.
“Before now, workers have been clamouring for promotion and convertion, we can reach them to know where we are now, so that they can actually get acquainted with what they state government is doing.
“Like now, I’m standing between the government and the workers, so that the interest of all, are well protected”
She unveiled her plan to introduce electronic attendance to avoid rigorous processes of monitoring workers attendance in all the state ministries.
“We should be able to move round, like I have a plan to create data platform, from there we can create electronic attendance, and the state government can embark on verification. If we have this biometric attendance, there’s no need of following such rigorous processes and with that we can actually be in our office talking and those that come to work you see it, when time retires, the thing will clock in and everything will be working very fast,” she unveiled.
She also promised to revive staff’s daily prayer in their offices, where all the ministries would choose a date for their daily prayer for a specific period between 8am to 10am.
Adibe-Nwafor commended Governor Umahi for having announced to employ 5,000 Ebonyians as civil servants, assuring the staff of meeting closely from time to time, to make it a successful one to avoid foul play.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the office of HoS, Deacon Martins Uguru commended the state governor for meticulously not given room for any loophole in the office as Dr Nwele who was in charge retired from active service as a civil servant on 30th of June.
“Really the Head of Service bowed out yesterday and today, our governor has decided to assign another person whom he grouped in the labour matters, his Special Assistant on Inter-Party and Labour Matters in this state, Comrade Mrs Adibe-Nwafor.
“Now, she’s today having tripite appointment, the SA on Labour Matters and acting Head of Service and we are saying to her, welcome madam,” he said.
He promised the new Head of Service, an unalloyed cooperation of the staff in the office; stressing that since Governor Umahi does not tolerate anything done haphazardly, workforce of the office have strong confidence in her would deliver excellently in considering her past records.
Uguru also described the new Head of Service as a God fearing leader and therefore, assured her of a full cooperation by all the staff while delivering her duties.
In his vote of thanks, the Head of Pension Department, appreciated the new Head of Service and promised them to run an open door policy and assured her of their unalloyed support while discharging her duties.
Highlight of the event was a collective prayer and dedication of the office to God by all the workforce.