Benue gov charges new commissioners against using office to serve self, friends

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has urged the newly inaugurated commissioners to recognise that their oath of office was not an undertaking to serve themselves, friends or interest groups, but the people of Benue.

Governor Alia, who gave the charge on Friday at the Government House, Makurdi, during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly confirmed commissioners, charged them to prioritise public interest, accountability and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties.

He described their appointment as a call to service and a solemn trust to contribute to the development, stability and prosperity of the state.

The Governor maintained that the people expected competence, integrity, fairness, accountability and diligence from government officials, as well as a government that listened to their concerns and worked to improve their lives.

While stressing the need for collaboration among ministries, departments and agencies, the Governor warned against operating in silos, emphasising that the commissioners would oversee different sectors.

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The Governor said, “I therefore charge you to see yourselves not as heads of isolated ministries, but as members of one administration and one team.

“There must be effective collaboration among you and between your Ministries, Departments and Agencies. Government cannot function effectively when MDAs operate in silos.

“The challenges confronting our people are interconnected, and our responses must therefore be collaboratively connected.”

The Governor also urged the new commissioners to remain accessible to the people by visiting communities, engaging stakeholders and understanding the realities on the ground rather than relying solely on official reports.

He called on them to embrace innovation, technology, data and modern management approaches to make governance more responsive and efficient.

The newly sworn-in commissioners are Solomon Iorpev, Mrs Elizabeth Ogenyi, Hon Kuma Aii Yenge, Hon Roy Terna, Angwa Monday, Hon Nick Eworo and Amo Ankwa II.