The Cross River State Ministry of Mineral Resources has strengthened the capacity of its workforce through an in-house training programme focused on ethics, professionalism, effective communication and digital innovation to enhance productivity and improve public service delivery.
The training, which brought together staff from various departments of the Ministry, provided a platform for participants to deepen their understanding of workplace ethics, organisational values, information management and the application of technology in the discharge of official responsibilities.
Addressing participants at the programme, the Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Ntufam Hon. Effiom Ekaha-Otu, charged staff to embrace the knowledge gained and remain committed to the ideals of public service.
The Commissioner emphasised discipline, teamwork, integrity and dedication to duty, urging employees to always place the interests of the Ministry and the state above personal considerations. “Continuous capacity building is necessary to equip our staff with the knowledge and skills required to meet the changing demands of the public service,” he said.
Ekaha-Otu noted that a professionally competent and ethically grounded workforce was essential to the effective implementation of government policies and programmes, urging staff to translate the lessons from the training into improved performance and service delivery.
The Assistant Director of Administration, Mrs Anthonia Etta-Egbe, who spoke on ethics and core values, stressed the importance of integrity, respect, accountability, teamwork and dedication in the workplace.
Etta-Egbe noted that strong organisational values were essential to creating a healthy work environment and building public confidence in government institutions. She encouraged staff to take the lessons from the training seriously, stressing that “effective public service delivery depends largely on the attitude, integrity and dedication of individual officers.”
The Director of Accounts, Dr Emmanuel Ekanem, who addressed participants on work ethics, emphasised diligence, accountability, punctuality, honesty and responsibility in the workplace.
He urged staff to approach their duties with commitment and ensure that government resources were handled prudently and transparently. According to him, adherence to proper work ethics would improve individual performance, strengthen public confidence in the Ministry and enhance the efficiency of government operations. On punctuality, he stated: “Early is on time. On time is late. Late is unacceptable.”
The Deputy Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr Effiom Eyo Ita, spoke on the importance of information in government administration, explaining that accurate, timely and properly managed information was critical to effective communication, decision-making and public accountability.
He urged staff to understand their roles in the collection, processing and dissemination of official information, while stressing confidentiality and responsible handling of sensitive government information. Eyo Ita added that “every staff member has a role to play in projecting the activities and achievements of the Ministry.”
The Head of Department, Community Relations, Mr Ushie Oko, focused on digital innovation, highlighting the growing importance of technology in improving efficiency, information management, communication and service delivery.
Oko encouraged staff to develop their digital skills and remain open to emerging technologies and innovative approaches capable of enhancing productivity and effectiveness in the workplace.
The training provided an opportunity for the Ministry’s workforce to examine practical approaches to improving professional performance while reinforcing the importance of ethical conduct, effective communication and technological adaptability.
The programme concluded with a renewed call for staff to uphold the Ministry’s core values, strengthen professional competence and deploy digital innovation towards more efficient and responsive public service delivery.
By Amarachi wneji
