Enugu Governor Peter Mbah swears in 13 Permanent Secretaries, emphasizing performance, accountability, and reforms backed by a trillion-naira budget.
No Honeymoon, Only Performance”: Enugu Governor Sets the Tone as 13 New Permanent Secretaries Take Office
The Enugu State Government has sent a strong message to the civil service: “this administration is driven by performance, not privileges.”
At the Government House in Enugu, Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah formally inaugurated 13 newly appointed Permanent Secretaries, making it clear from the onset that there would be no grace period. According to the governor, public office is not a reward to relax, but a call to deliver measurable results.
Unlike the old order where appointments were often questioned, the new Permanent Secretaries emerged through what the government described as a rigorous, transparent, and merit-driven process. Their selection, the governor emphasized, reflects competence rather than connections.
However, elevation comes with expectations.
In a firm but inspiring tone, the governor reminded them that greater responsibility follows greater opportunity, stressing that hard work does not end at promotion, it multiplies.
Governor Mbah described Permanent Secretaries as the engine room of government, tasked with safeguarding institutional memory and ensuring continuity across administrations.
With Enugu State currently implementing sector-wide reforms designed to be institutionalized, their role is critical. These reforms, the governor noted, are not temporary measures but long-term systems meant to outlive the present administration.
Documentation, discipline, and consistent delivery were highlighted as non-negotiable responsibilities.
Trillion-Naira Budget, Bigger Expectations
The scale of governance in Enugu has expanded significantly.
For the first time in its history, the state’s 2026 budget has crossed the ₦1 trillion mark, with over ₦1.3 trillion earmarked for capital projects. This shift, according to the governor, demands a more skilled workforce, strong ICT capacity, and leaders who can operate effectively within a fully integrated e-governance system.
He made it clear that the era of analog leadership in a digital government is over.
From education to transportation, agriculture to tourism, the administration is raising standards across multiple sectors. Ongoing and planned initiatives include:
- Smart Green Schools
- Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres
- CNG-powered buses and modern transport terminals
- Over 260 farm estates
- Tourism development projects
- The launch of Enugu Air
These projects, the governor said, are not symbolic, they are transformational and demand competent leadership to sustain them.
Women’s Inclusion Above National Benchmark
In a notable milestone, 6 out of the 13 newly appointed Permanent Secretaries are women, pushing Enugu State beyond the 35% Affirmative Action benchmark.
This achievement reinforces the administration’s stated commitment to inclusion, equity, and fairness within the public service.
According to the governor, Enugu State is no longer operating in isolation. With increasing visibility, both locally and internationally, public officers must uphold the highest standards of transparency, accountability, accessibility, and collaboration, as outlined in the state’s citizens’ charter.
The message was clear: the world is watching.
This swearing-in ceremony was more than a routine event, it was a statement of intent.
Governor Mbah’s message signals a governance style focused on service delivery, strong institutions, and sustainable development. For the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries, the task ahead is clear: perform, institutionalize reforms, and help build a government that truly works for the people.
As the governor boldly declared, tomorrow is no longer a promise, it is already here.



Comments
Post a Comment
By commenting, you agree that your comments may be published and that you will not post offensive or illegal content. ESN is not responsible for third-party comments.