Rivers State Governor Fubara Strengthens Civil Service with Appointment of Austin Hart as New Permanent Secretary

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a fresh addition to the leadership of the state civil service with the appointment of Austin Hart as a Permanent Secretary.

The announcement, made through the Office of the Head of Service and signed by Dr. Inyingi Brown, marks yet another step in the governor’s ongoing efforts to restructure and reposition the administrative machinery of the state. The official swearing-in ceremony will be conducted by Governor Fubara at a date yet to be announced.

This latest development comes on the heels of several recent appointments within the state civil service. It follows the swearing-in of 16 permanent secretaries earlier this year by Fubara himself, as well as the appointment and inauguration of 11 permanent secretaries by the former Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas.

At his last swearing-in ceremony, Governor Fubara had emphasized that the appointments were based squarely on merit, competence, and trustworthiness, underscoring his administration’s commitment to professionalism over political patronage. He also highlighted the urgent need to fill leadership gaps in ministries that had long operated without permanent secretaries, relying only on supervisory heads.

The governor tasked the appointees with providing strong direction, upholding ethical standards, and steering their ministries in line with his administration’s priorities. He stressed that their roles extend beyond routine bureaucracy, calling on them to contribute meaningfully to his government’s vision of improving welfare, ensuring security, and delivering effective public service across Rivers State.

By naming Austin Hart as a new permanent secretary, Governor Fubara signals a continued focus on consolidating an efficient civil service structure capable of driving sustainable governance and development in the state.