The newly appointed Head of Service of Delta State, Charity Babigha-Ehimen, has unveiled a four-point action plan focused on digitalisation, workers’ welfare, discipline and teamwork to improve service delivery across the state.
Babigha-Ehimen announced the plan on Thursday during her swearing-in ceremony, where Governor Sheriff Oborevwori charged her to promote accountability, fairness and prudent management of public resources.
The governor urged the new HOS to use her experience to improve the performance of ministries, departments and agencies, noting that she joined the state civil service in 1993 and became a Permanent Secretary in 2019.
“I expect you to put that experience to good use in your new role,” Oborevwori said.
He urged her to work closely with Permanent Secretaries and heads of agencies to strengthen discipline and ensure public resources were properly managed.
“Your responsibility is not just to supervise the service, but to help our people work better and serve the public with pride,” the governor added.
Babigha-Ehimen said her action plan would focus on human capital development and digitalisation, workers’ welfare, internal collaboration, and teamwork with Permanent Secretaries and heads of departments.
She pledged to carry out her duties with dedication, fairness and integrity while ensuring that the state government’s MORE Agenda was implemented effectively.
The governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare, citing regular salary payments, training programmes and incentives aimed at improving productivity.
He said the 13th-month salary initiative was designed to give workers a substantial financial benefit at the end of the year rather than the traditional distribution of food items.
Oborevwori also disclosed that the government had approved the construction of 12 additional duplexes for Permanent Secretaries and planned to award a contract for a clubhouse for civil servants soon.
He commended the outgoing Head of Service, Minimie Oseji, for her service to the state and wished her a peaceful retirement.
The governor further urged civil servants to remain honest and diligent regardless of the political season, while calling on political leaders and their supporters to avoid intimidation and violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Babigha-Ehimen thanked the governor for appointing her and acknowledged his administration’s efforts on workers’ welfare, including the 13th-month salary, capacity-building programmes, pension and retirement benefits, and prompt payment of salaries.
