Hon. Kingsley Egumi has assumed office as the new Commissioner for Transportation in Cross River State, pledging a collaborative approach to reposition the ministry and advance the state government’s people-first agenda.
Egumi, who previously served as Commissioner for Human Capital Development, formally assumed the portfolio during an inaugural meeting with the ministry’s management and staff at its headquarters in Calabar.
Addressing the staff, the Commissioner expressed appreciation for the warm reception and said his immediate priority was to understand the ministry’s mandate, operations and challenges.
He stressed the importance of collaboration, saying effective leadership requires listening to experienced professionals and drawing from their institutional knowledge to achieve shared objectives.
Egumi urged staff to remain adaptable and committed to public service, regardless of their individual portfolios, noting that their primary responsibility was to serve the people.
He described himself as an inclusive leader and called for a workplace culture built on transparency, mutual respect and constructive engagement. He also urged staff to address grievances and concerns through established official channels rather than resorting to gossip or backchannel communication.
The Commissioner said the Ministry of Transportation had a critical role to play in advancing the state’s development agenda, particularly through the provision of an efficient and responsive transportation system capable of supporting economic growth and social development.
He called on the workforce to see themselves as partners in delivering a transportation system that meets the needs of the people, stressing that the ministry’s success would depend on collective effort, innovation and commitment to excellence.
Egumi reiterated the administration’s people-first philosophy, urging staff to ensure that the welfare and interests of citizens remained central to every policy and initiative of the ministry.
He subsequently invited staff to submit ideas and constructive suggestions that could improve the ministry’s performance, assuring them that innovation and collective participation would be encouraged under his leadership.
Responding, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Pastor Mrs. Eme Afia, and the Chief Accountant, Chief Julius Kekong, assured the Commissioner of the loyalty and cooperation of the workforce in repositioning the ministry for greater efficiency and impact.
Afia expressed confidence in the dedication of the ministry’s personnel and said their commitment, coupled with the Commissioner’s leadership, would enhance operational efficiency and service delivery.
Kekong emphasised the importance of accountability and prudent resource management, assuring the Commissioner that the staff would provide the necessary support for the successful implementation of the ministry’s programmes and initiatives.
The meeting was attended by senior management and other staff members, including the Director of Administration, Mrs. Vanessa Inah, who joined the Commissioner in setting the tone for a new phase of collaboration and shared commitment to improved transportation services in the state.
By Irene Bassey
