HoCS urges  workers to utilize farm days to overcome harsh economic realities

With the current economic realities engulfing our society, the Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien has urged Akwa  Ibom workers to effectively utilize the workfree Farm Days  to boost agro-based productivity to cushion the effect of prevalent economic hardship.

The Head of Civil Service gave the charge on Thursday in Uyo while presenting his keynote address at the Public Lecture organized as part of activities to mark the 2024 Public Service Week celebration for workers in the State.

Elder Effiong Essien who took a look at the theme of the 2024 Public Service  Week Celebration – ‘Stay Forward Looking…Make a Difference said, one major way of making a difference in this trying period was by keying into the  workfree Farm Day vision of Governor Umo Eno and engaging in agricultural productivity every first and third Friday of the month to enable the overcoming of the harsh economic realities.

He commended the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno for the numerous welfare packages provided to workers in the State including the ongoing Public Service Week which had been in hiatus over a decade ago.

The Head of Civil Service commended the Chairman of the occasion for his insightful exposé on the growth of the Public Service in Akwa Ibom State and urged the workers to sustain the tempo of development and growth by remaining hardworking, dedicated and committed to their responsibilities while also abiding by the rules and regulations of the Service.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion and a retired Permanent Secretary of the State Civil Service, Elder (Barr) Udo J. Asamudo expressed gratitude to Governor Umo Eno for resuscitating the Public Service Week Celebration for workers, which serves as an avenue to reflect on the developmental strides of the service, identify gaps and work towards future improvement.

On his part, the Guest Speaker at the occasion, Prof Aniekan Brown of the Department of Criminology, University of Uyo, noted the importance of the Public Service in the daily running of government and urged workers to remain focus and resilient in ensuring the sustainability of the dignity of the service.

The event which featured the presentation of goodwill messages, interactive session and Cultural displays by the Council for Arts and Culture, was witnessed by the Dean, College of Permanent Secretaries, Mrs. Stella Etukakpan, Permanent secretaries and  workers from different MDAs in the State Public Service.