Archbishop Bassey Urges Cross River to Remove underperforming Officials
Archbishop Josef Bassey has urged Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu to replace appointees he described as ineffective and more interested in self-promotion.
Bassey made the call while speaking with journalists in Calabar at the weekend. The cleric accused some officials of frustrating the administration’s agenda instead of helping to implement its policies. He warned that Cross River State could not afford to retain such appointees as the government moves into its next phase.
Bassey said government appointments should be based on competence and the ability to deliver, rather than political considerations.
“Government appointments must not become political settlements. We have already wasted enough time on such distractions. While a good team may still face setbacks, success is impossible without a competent team,” he said. He alleged that some officials were slowing down the government’s momentum despite the administration’s efforts to accelerate development.
The archbishop therefore called for a cabinet reshuffle to bring more capable hands into strategic positions. According to him, appointees must understand the governor’s vision and demonstrate the ability to turn government plans into tangible results.
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“Anyone who cannot fully embrace the governor’s vision and turn it into tangible results should not hold a strategic position in government,” Bassey stated. He also urged the governor to remove officials who lack competence or fail to deliver on their responsibilities.
“If he lacks competence, remove him. If he cannot execute, replace him. “Any appointee whose loyalty is not to the state and the administration’s objectives should be removed,” he said.
Bassey further criticised officials who allegedly use public positions to promote themselves or pursue personal interests.
He maintained that appointees should focus on advancing the administration’s programmes and improving the lives of Cross River residents.
“If an appointee is more focused on self-promotion and personal interests than serving the state, he should be replaced with someone committed to advancing Cross River,” the cleric said. He added that the next phase of the administration required officials with integrity, competence, capacity, experience and a proven record of delivering results.
“The next phase demands integrity, competence, capability, proven experience and effective delivery. Nothing short of these qualities will do,” he emphasised.
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Despite his criticism, Bassey commended the ongoing reforms in the state’s public and civil service. He said the restructuring should create clearer expectations for officials while strengthening accountability and performance monitoring.
The archbishop also praised Governor Otu for his public identification with God.
Bassey described the governor’s stance as significant and said he believed Otu’s emergence was an answer to the prayers of Cross River residents.
“As a spiritual leader, I consider Governor Otu’s commitment to God significant. I firmly believe his leadership is an answer to the prayers of the people of Cross River,” he said.
Source: Punch News
Content Credit: Esther Adeyemi
Image Credit: Facebook.com
