Posted by FROM CHUKS COLLINS (AWKA) on
THREE new commissioners have been sworn in by Anambra State Governor Chris Ngige to reinvigorate his cabinet, while two others were dropped.
THREE new commissioners have been sworn in by Anambra State Governor Chris Ngige to reinvigorate his cabinet, while two others were dropped.
Apparently in further compliance with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP's) Owerri Peace Accord, Ngige appointed Dr Okey Enemuo, a loyalist of his estranged godfather, Chief Chris Uba as Commissioner for Environment/Forestry.
During the swearing in at the Conference Hall of the Government House, Awka, the governor advised them to always live above board and note that any dereliction of duty would attract instant sack.
Ngige, who arrived at the jam-packed venue, sat with his deputy, Chief Ugochukwu Nwankwo and the Commissioner for Special Duties, Chief Chris Atuegwu. He warned all officers in the employ of the state to guard against further abuse of the oaths of secrecy and that of allegiance, which they swore to.
He also directed that every officer must re-take the oath within one week and charged the Head of Service, Mrs. Elsie Ikemefuna, to ensure that the new order was fully complied with.
The apparently worried governor noted that these days, the officers abuse the oaths with impunity almost immediately after being taken, hence he took time to lecture the audience on the import.
Enemuo, however, attracted an unsavoury attention when midway into the oath taking, he left the podium in search of a pen with which to complete his documentation. Though the delay lasted just about 58 seconds, it was enough to discomfiture the audience, while the governor and other top functionaries present waited with patience.
In his remarks later, Ngige likened the new inclusions as what obtains in a football match where midway into the game, the coach makes some restructuring due to exigencies, for more effective performance.
Enemuo was formerly in the House of Representatives but was replaced by Chief Chidi Duru following the judgment of the election tribunal and Court of Appeal in Enugu.
The governor stated that in an effort to accelerate the process of healing the pains, he had to accommodate Enemuo.
Other members of the cabinet include Chief Charles Amiloh, who takes over from Joe Oforkansi as the Commissioner for Information and Chief Edwin Erinne, who takes over from Mr. Emma Udegbunam in the Agriculture Ministry, who moves to the Ministry of Commerce.
The governor had assured earlier in the week that he would not drop or enlarge his cabinet, while justifying the need to create two new ministries and appoint two permanent secretaries.
Ngige also disclosed that all board appointments would be made at the same time next week. He charged all appointees to move into the field at once, as he was not ready to tolerate anyone who sits in the office under airconditioners.
In his remark on behalf of his colleagues, Amiloh, who the governor described as a foundation member of PDP, thanked and assured Ngige and the people of the state that they would not disappoint them.
The Commissioners were screened and approved by the House of Assembly in October last year.