Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson performed its first official function of the New Year 2013 by swearing-in two new Permanent Secretaries, Mr. Suru Oyarede and Barrister Preye Agedah.
Mr. Oyarede is to serve as Permanent Secretary for Local Government, while Barrister Agedah will be posted to the Ministry of Justice as Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-General of the State.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony, Governor Seriake Dickson noted that, the event is a clear demonstration of his administration’s commitment to duty and consolidation of its restoration agenda.
While urging the new Permanent Secretaries to show the same commitment, Governor Dickson explained that it was the first time an official from the Local Government system would be considered for appointment as Permanent Secretary in the Public Service without formally transferring their services to the mainstream of the civil service.
He decried the situation whereby officials from the Local Government system are required to transfer their services to the Public Service before being considered for the post of a Permanent Secretary, stressing that the appointment of Mr. Oyarede was based on merit and integrity.
According to him, the gesture is to make officials in the Local Government system have a sense of belonging and assured that other worthy persons will be rewarded accordingly to support the restoration agenda in the administration.
Hon. Dickson equally charged Barrister, Preye Agedah to assist in repositioning the Ministry of Justice especially in ensuring that government cases receive the professional attention that they deserve.
He observed that the major challenge of the Ministry of Justice was the sloppiness with which government cases were handled and called on Barrister Agedah to work towards addressing the problem.
