The Cross River State Ministry of Lands has commenced a comprehensive training programme for its newly employed personnel, in furtherance of Governor Bassey Edet Otu’s employment drive and his administration’s commitment to building a more efficient and professional public service.
The training brought together newly recruited staff across various departments of the Ministry and was designed to equip them with the knowledge, discipline, professional ethics and administrative skills required for effective service delivery, particularly in the critical area of land administration.
Addressing the trainees, the Commissioner for Lands welcomed them to the Ministry and congratulated them on their appointment into the State Public Service. He acknowledged the efforts of Governor Otu in creating employment opportunities for thousands of Cross Riverians, noting that the employment drive had brought renewed hope and smiles to many families across the State.
The Commissioner described the Ministry of Lands as one of the largest and potentially most productive Ministries in government, stressing that its effectiveness has significant implications for citizens, investment and the revenue generation of the State. He urged the new employees not to take their appointments for granted, but to see them as an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the development of Cross River.
He charged the trainees to embrace discipline, punctuality, commitment, respect for constituted authority and a strong sense of responsibility, stressing that every assignment must be taken seriously irrespective of the employee’s cadre or position. “Never underrate your work and take every work seriously,” he admonished.
The Commissioner further urged them to understand the structure of the Civil Service, respect senior officers and operate within established channels of authority. He encouraged the new employees to maintain cordial relationships with their colleagues, shun unhealthy rivalry and willingly share knowledge, describing the workplace as a family where staff should support and assist one another.
He said the training was particularly important because it would enable the new employees to understand their respective roles within the Ministry, what was expected of them and how their responsibilities contribute to the overall effectiveness of the institution. He also directed them to remain focused on their assigned departments and avoid unnecessary interference in areas outside their mandates.
The Commissioner acknowledged existing challenges in some aspects of the Ministry’s operations, particularly land administration and registration, but assured the trainees that efforts were being made to address the abnormalities and restore greater efficiency and order to the system. He therefore tasked them to contribute positively to the ongoing repositioning of the Ministry through diligence, professionalism and continuous learning.
He also assured the trainees that his office remained accessible to staff with genuine concerns or who required guidance, while reminding them to respect appropriate administrative channels. He encouraged them to work closely with directors and heads of departments to improve their competence and knowledge, with the ultimate goal of building a busy, active, efficient and highly respected Ministry of Lands.
Earlier, facilitators took the participants through critical aspects of public service administration, including confidentiality of government information and the Oath of Secrecy in Service, filing methods as an administrative tool for effective service delivery, and the application of technology to improve productivity. The sessions also exposed the trainees to the operations of the Ministry and the importance of proper land administration, registration and documentation.
Rounding off the programme, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, ESV. Gold Ita, who facilitated a session on “Discipline and Decorum: Hallmark of Civil/Public Servants in Service Delivery,” urged the trainees to put the knowledge acquired into practice and uphold integrity, discipline, teamwork, professionalism and dedication in the discharge of their official duties.
The Ministry expressed optimism that the training would significantly strengthen the capacity of its newly recruited workforce and support the State Government’s vision of efficient land administration and improved public service delivery. The initiative, coming on the heels of Governor Otu’s employment drive, represents an investment not only in jobs but also in developing a competent workforce capable of translating the administration’s vision into effective service for the people.
By Afiong Ndem
