By Amadin Idahosa
Federal Government has called for openness and transparency in every official transaction that involves government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs.
Speaking was the new Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, in Abuja yesterday.
He made the statement during the formal handing and taking over ceremony of the affairs of the Ministry between him and the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Engr.Yemi Oguntominiyi.
In his speech at the ceremony, the government official said, “ I am open and transparent in all my work and I do hope you will extend same to me in the course of our duties.”
While stating his mandates, Umakhihe promised to actualize President Muhammadu Buhari’s Next Level Agenda.
The Permanent Secretary said “Mine is to make sure I am able to mobilize all of us to work in achieving the mandate of Mr. President’s Next Level Agenda and of course our Honourable Minister and I promise you, we will all work as a team.”
Umakhihe who noted the enormity of work in the Ministry, assured all that he was poised to take up the responsibility.
He said “I want to thank you for this reception to the Ministry of Works and Housing where I am told that there is a lot of work.
“Like the Minister told me yesterday, when he said I had joined a moving train, I told him no matter how fast that train is, I will make sure I am able to log onto it and then within a short time I will be fully on board and even join the Driver.”
Earlier, Engineer Yemi Oguntominiyi, Director Highway Construction and Rehabilitation of the Ministry, expressed happiness and confidence that the new Permanent Secretary would move the Ministry to greater heights due to his robust experience having served in similar capacity in other Federal Government establishments.
“Our new Permanent Secretary has served in no less important ministries, with a rich pedigree and requisite experience to man the affairs of this ministry, he is undoubtedly suitable for the new assignment.” He said.
Oguntominiyi who described the staff of the Ministry as competent, diligent and experienced assured the Permanent Secretary of the unalloyed support and loyalty of management and staff of the Ministry.
He thanked his colleagues and the entire staff for the spirit of comradeship and cooperation extended to him while overseeing the office of the Permanent Secretary.
It would be noteworthy to mention that the Perm Sec was born on the 5th of April, 1964. Umakhihe is a professional accountant of high repute and a core technocrat.
He plied his trade in the public service for years; served in the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning and Office of the Head of Service of the Federation.
