Calabar— The Cross River State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure on Monday rewarded 29 staff members who resumed duty early on the first working day of 2026, as the ministry signalled a tougher work schedule driven by a significantly expanded infrastructure budget for the year NEGROIDHAVEN can report.
The reward ceremony followed an early-morning attendance check at the ministry’s headquarters in Calabar, where management discovered that 29 officers were already at their duty posts before 8:00 a.m. The staff were subsequently presented with cash incentives as a form of motivation and recognition for punctuality and commitment.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Pius Ankpo Edet, commended the early-resuming staff and described their conduct as a positive signal for the year ahead.
“It was shocking and touching to see about 29 of you already seated in the office early this morning,” Edet said. “This level of proactiveness shows that 2026 will be a greater year for the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.”
The commissioner said the gesture was part of a deliberate management strategy to encourage a change in work attitude across the ministry, noting that punctuality and dedication would be critical in meeting the demands of the new year.
He disclosed that the ministry’s budget had more than doubled, rising from about ₦99 billion in 2025 to over ₦200 billion in 2026, a development he said would require “double effort” from staff.
“This year is a different ball game. That money cannot deliver projects on its own. People must apportion it through responsibility and hard work,” Edet said, adding that the expanded budget was tied to the state government’s plan to deepen infrastructural development across all local government areas.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Engr. Paul Bepeh, praised the staff for resuming early and warned against laxity in the new year.
“Proactiveness to duty is key this year,” Bepeh said. “There will be no automatic promotion. I will move around offices at any time to check attendance. Everyone must be found at their duty post.”
Bepeh stressed that civil service responsibility went beyond signing the time book, urging staff to remain at their offices and seek proper permission when absent.
On behalf of the beneficiaries, Engr. Michael Philip Imoh thanked the ministry’s management for the incentive, describing it as a morale booster and a strong foundation for the year.
“What the management has done today has laid a foundation for 2026,” Imoh said. “It will also encourage other staff to be more committed to their duties.”
The commissioner said the early-resumption reward was intended to set the tone for 2026 and motivate both rewarded staff and others to embrace punctuality and improved service delivery, as the ministry prepares for an intensified infrastructure programme across the state.
