The Cross River State House of Assembly Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution has assessed ongoing reforms, administrative processes and workers’ welfare initiatives in the state public service during an oversight visit to the Office of the Head of Service.
The committee, led by its Chairman, Rt. Hon. Davis Etta, examined the office’s activities and reviewed measures aimed at improving efficiency, accountability and service delivery across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Head of Service, Barr. Lucy Bassey, highlighted key initiatives undertaken by the office, including staff and pensioners’ verification, the introduction of the Staff Performance Management Framework, payment of electricity bills across MDAs, and monthly aerobics and medical check-ups for civil servants.
Bassey explained that the staff and pensioners’ verification exercise was designed to validate personnel records, ensure accurate workforce data and strengthen accountability in personnel administration. She noted that the exercise would also support effective government planning and improve the management of the state’s workforce.
On the Staff Performance Management Framework, the Permanent Secretary said the initiative was part of ongoing efforts to reform the public service by promoting accountability, establishing measurable performance targets and ensuring that employees contributed meaningfully to the objectives of their respective MDAs.
She also identified the payment of electricity bills across government offices as a measure to support the smooth running of official activities and provide a more conducive working environment for civil servants.
On workers’ welfare, Bassey said the monthly aerobics and medical check-up programme was introduced to promote physical fitness, encourage preventive healthcare and improve the general well-being of public servants. The programme provides opportunities for workers to participate in physical exercises and undergo routine medical screening.
As part of the oversight exercise, the committee requested relevant documents, including approved budgets and budget performance reports for the 2025 and 2026 fiscal years, recruitment records, details of ongoing and completed projects, internally generated revenue reports, and information on areas requiring legislative intervention.
The Office of the Head of Service made the requested documents available to the committee to facilitate its examination of the office’s financial records, administrative activities and implementation of public service policies and programmes.
The engagement gave the lawmakers an opportunity to review measures aimed at improving personnel management, strengthening staff performance and promoting workers’ welfare, while examining the administrative processes supporting effective service delivery across the state public service.
By Anastasia Ekuma
