From NWADIKE UGOCHUKWU, Port-Harcourt
THE Rivers state government says the compulsory retirement of 14 permanent secretaries in the state civil service was not in any way a political witch hunt as claimed by an opposition party in the state.
Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo said the retirement was part of exercise by the state government to reinvigorate the civil service and put it on sound footing for effective service delivery.
A statement signed by the Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Paul Damgbor wondered why the Rivers APC would cry foul at the action of the state government when a similar action recently taken by the APC federal government did not raise any eye brow.
Dr. Banigo, a former Secretary to the State Government and Head of Service, said the governor is committed to repositioning the state civil service as the engine room of good governance.
She assured that the Wike-led administration will continue to accord due attention to the welfare of all public servants in the state.