Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral (Rtd.) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has announced the appointment of new permanent secretaries.

According to a statement signed by the Acting Head of Service, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi Brown, the approved names for permanent secretaries include: Imaonyani Roselin Ephraim-George, Dr. Mina T. Ikuru, Dabite Sokari George, Soibitein Duke Harry, Lauretta Davies Dimkpa, and Uche R. Ideozu.

Others are Chimenum Mpi, Jeremiah Egwu, Nicholas Iminabo Wokoma, Vera Sam Dike, and Aleruchi Akani.

Inyingi stated that their swearing-in by the Administrator will be disclosed on a date yet to be announced.

However, it was not clear if the current serving permanent secretaries would be forced to exit office.

The Guardian gathered from a reliable source in Government House that, prior to the emergence of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the service term for many permanent secretaries in Rivers State Civil Service had elapsed, but they were retained on a contract basis by the former Governor, Nyesom Wike.

Fubara came in and dismantled the system of contracts and swore in over 16 permanent secretaries.

Consequently, some permanent secretaries currently serving who were sworn in by Fubara have a short time in service because they have lost so many years due to the contracting issues of permanent secretaries by the ex-governor.

Some of the permanent secretaries sworn in by Fubara on January 16, 2024, include: Hebron Wisdom, Dede Sampson Friday, Briggs Atemea Karibo, Nyempe Gregory, Ndah Emmanuel, Ngochindo James Epobari, Ishmael Tomonialadieokuma, and Wakama Boma A. George.

Others were Nweke Onyeche Kelvin, Okereuku Alwell Chinedum, Ndukue Patrick, Ichemati Maxwell Mbadiwe, Iwarilama-Brown Invingi Sabina, Ogolo Maurice Eric, Kejeh Ruhuoma Chinedu, and Jacob Fayeofori Francis.

Also, the permanent secretaries sworn in on August 16, 2024, include: Mekele Comfort Igwe, Mrs. Anthonia I. Ekiseh, Dr. Azibaolanari Uzoma-Nwogu, Mrs. Ihuoma Patience Ray-Boms, Mr. Nwizug Gonee Gordon, and Mr. Chukwuma Ndudi August Ine.

The suspended Governor, Fubara, had noted that most ministries were without proper administrative heads, sequel to contract issues.