The newly appointed Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Cross River State, Hon. Dodeye Ikpi Arikpo, has charged staff of the Cross River State Liaison Office, Abuja, to remain committed to their responsibilities and uphold the standards required to effectively project the image and interests of the state.
Arikpo gave the charge on Monday during a familiarisation visit to the Liaison Office in Asokoro, Abuja, as part of efforts to acquaint himself with the operations of the office and interact with its personnel.
The Commissioner urged staff to cooperate with him and the leadership of the Liaison Office in advancing the People First agenda of Governor Bassey Edet Otu and contributing to the growth and development of Cross River State.
He stressed that, as representatives of the state in the nation’s capital, personnel of the office must exemplify professionalism, excellence and discipline, warning that poor attitude to work would not be tolerated.
Arikpo also emphasised the importance of appropriate dressing and professional appearance, particularly among drivers and protocol officers, directing them to appear in suits and ties while on official duties. He pledged to provide white shirts for drivers to facilitate compliance with the directive.
The Commissioner encouraged staff to see their respective responsibilities as an integral part of the state’s administrative machinery, stressing that efficiency, discipline and dedication were essential to the effective functioning of the Liaison Office.
In her opening remarks, the Special Adviser, Cross River State Liaison Office, Abuja, Mrs. Sarah Archibong, congratulated Arikpo on his appointment, describing him as a “round peg in a round hole.”
Archibong assured the Commissioner of the staff’s loyalty, cooperation and commitment to supporting his mandate and ensuring the effective discharge of the office’s responsibilities.
Speaking during the interaction, the Head of Accounts, Mrs. Ekora Usani, and the Head of Registry, Mrs. Kuwo Ifere, highlighted some of the concerns affecting personnel of the office.
Usani appealed for greater integration of the Liaison Office into state government programmes and initiatives, noting that personnel sometimes felt excluded from incentives and other benefits available to staff of ministries, departments and agencies in Calabar.
Ifere, on her part, called for improved staff welfare packages to cushion the effects of prevailing economic realities and enhance the morale and productivity of personnel.
By Uchino Amatey
