Suspended Ebonyi permanent secretaries need to learn how to prepare memos before returning to their posts, says Governor David Umahi.

Mr Umahi suspended five permanent secretaries in the state civil service for six months for their alleged lack of commitment to duties.

He announced this while swearing in 11 reappointed commissioners, several old and new special assistants and senior special assistants.

The governor announced that the affected permanent secretaries to be sent for retraining were those in charge of the ministries of health, education, communication, sports and solid minerals.

“The secretary to the state government and the commissioner for human capital development should organise six months training for them which I would sponsor.

“They should be taught what a permanent secretary is, how to prepare memorandum (sic) and how to take (sic) responsibilities in their ministries.

“The SSG and the acting head of service should identify ministries without permanent secretaries and fill such positions with the most intelligent official in such ministries.

“The official can be on grade level 10 but would be promoted to level 14 because I need help in the ministries,” said Mr Umahi.

The governor noted that underperforming permanent secretaries would henceforth be demoted by two grade levels and disengaged from the system.

“The permanent secretary is the real owner for the ministry, and the issue with the suspended ones was not dullness but lack of commitment,” he said.

Mr Umahi congratulated the newly sworn-in commissioners. Nine out of the 11 commissioners retained their positions, while two were assigned new portfolios.

They include Clement Nweke (housing and urban development), Ann Aligwe (human capital development), Charles Akpuenika (youth development and sports) and Chinwe Okah (women affairs).

Others are Chioma Nweze, retained as commissioner for investment, Emmanuel Uguru (lands and survey), Oluchukwu Ukie-Ezeali (project monitoring), Elizabeth Ogbaga (culture and tourism) and Ogodo-Ali Nome (agriculture and natural resources).

Eze Nwachukwu was assigned the commissioner for market and park development, while Joseph Ekuma-Nkama takes charge of inter-governmental affairs.

Clement Nweke, the housing commissioner, thanked the governor for reappointing them and pledged to redouble their loyalty and commitment to good governance.

(NAN)