The Nasarawa State government now has commended the civil service for holding faith with it for the past five years. The commendation came from the state chief steward, Governor Abdullahi Adamu while swearing in nine new permanent secretaries into the service. He said measures introduced by the government have brought about mutual confidence between the bureaucracy and political leadership.

Commenting on corruption, Governor Adamu said the People Democratic Party led administrations at all tiers of government have resolved to fight corruption in the public service to a standstill. According to the Governor, President Olusegun Obasanjo led Federal Government has shown adequate leadership in the battle against corruption and the Nasarawa State administration is fully in support of measures taken in this respect to stamp out corruption from the system. In the specific case of Nasarawa State, Governor Adamu said “we want to sound it loud and clear, and to everybody’s ears, that we will eliminate corruption from the public service. Let nobody be in any doubt about our resolve and determination to ensure that we run a corrupt free public service. Nobody will be spared if found wanting in our determined effort to offer transparent service to our people. All reported cases of corruption will be thoroughly investigated and any persons found guilty will be subjected to the full course of the law”. Governor Adamu reminded the audience of cases which have been investigated and culprits punished as that of the then education secretaries in the state primary education board and the Board of Internal Revenue.

In an attempt to make government agencies more accountable, Governor Adamu stated that consideration was being given to the withdrawal of subventions to some agencies from the 2006 fiscal year. These agencies include: Nasarawa Transport Corporation, Nasarawa Water Board, Nasarawa Broadcasting Service, Nasarawa Investment Company, Board of Internal Revenue, Nasarawa Produce Marketing Board, and Karu Area Planning and Development Authority. He urged their managements to commence immediate plans to be self sustaining.

While congratulating the new permanent secretaries, he urged them to cap his confidence on them by being shining examples of honesty, integrity and resourcefulness. Those sworn-in as Permanent Secretaries are Haruna Aseneshi, Mohammed Sani Ibrahim, Mohammed Ladan Danladi, Musa Dangana, James Agbo, Mrs. Bridget Azaki, Hajiya Zainab Abdulmumini, Clutus Ado Uba and Mrs. Agnes Gladys Juni.

Responding, the one of the new permanent secretaries, James Agbo pledged loyalty to the government of the state.