The Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Lekue Kenneth, has charged staff of the Ministry of Finance to uphold integrity and accountability in the discharge of their duties as professional accountants.
He gave the charge during his inaugural meeting with the staff of the Ministry, emphasizing the need for responsible decision-making that supports and strengthens the administration of the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
He reminded staff that the Governor once served in the Ministry, stressing the importance of protecting the administration through sound financial practices.
Hon. Lekue called for teamwork and collaboration, describing it as essential to achieving institutional goals.
“I am here to collaborate and work with you. I cannot be effective without your support, especially as experienced officers within the system”, he said.
Addressing issues in the pensions department, the Commissioner urged staff to show patience and empathy in dealing with retirees, while ensuring a seamless process that minimizes stress.
“One day, we will all be in their position,” he noted.
He commended the Governor for his proactive leadership, which, he said, has fostered peace, stability, and development in the state.
He also acknowledged the Governor’s commitment to strengthening the Ministry through adequate support and resources, assuring that he would deploy his professional expertise to enhance its performance.
On capacity building, Hon. Lekue assured staff of plans to organize training programmes aimed at transitioning from outdated accounting systems to global best practices, particularly the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).
He also encouraged continuous self-development among staff.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Jeremiah Egwu, congratulated the Commissioner on his appointment, describing it as an opportunity to improve systems and deliver greater value to the state.
He pledged the staff’s full cooperation in achieving the Ministry’s objectives.
Similarly, the Accountant General of the State, Dr. Uche Ideozu, noted that the Commissioner’s appointment was merit-based and expressed confidence that the Ministry would benefit from his wealth of experience, and assured him of the staff’s support.
Also speaking, the Director of Pensions, Sir Chris Luke-Deekor, described the appointment as well-deserved and pledged maximum cooperation from staff.
On his part, the Director of Finance and Accounts, Mr. Felix Owute, expressed appreciation to the Governor for appointing a professional accountant to lead the Ministry and voiced optimism about the Ministry’s future under his leadership.
Hon. Lekue also oversees the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.
The meeting, which was aimed at familiarizing the Commissioner with staff, was attended by directors and personnel across the Ministry.
- Mathew is the Information/Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Finance.