Gov Otti Swears-in Commissioners to Drive Abia Renewal Agenda

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Abia State Governor, Mr. Alex Otti, has sworn-in his commissioners he assembled to drive his vision for a new Abia that works for everybody.

Governor Otti’s cabinet made of 19 members with four women were inaugurated yesterday at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Umuahia.

However, 16 of the commissioners were led in oath of allegiance and office by the state Solicitor General, Uzoamaka Ikonne. The remaining three were not available for screening by the State House of Assembly before the inauguration.

Governor Otti in his address after inaugurating the commissioners, explained that the remaining three – Finance, Women Affairs, and Power and Public Utilities, would be sworn-in next week.

The new set of cabinet is the first to be composed by an opposition party since the inception of the present democratic dispensation.

Otti described the event as “epoch-making”, adding that he has put together a “freshly minted” set of commissioners to answer to the clarion call to rebuild Abia State.

He charged the commissioners to gird their loins and brace up for the task ahead, noting that the expectations of the people is very high given that dividends of democracy had been in short supply in past administrations.

“You’ll be the most watched and scrutinised set of commissioners in the recent history of Abia State,” he told his commissioners.

Otti reminded his cabinet members that “building a new Abia that works” remained the cardinal mission of his administration hence he demanded for “honest use of resources” for the benefit of the people.

He said: “I can assure you that there’ll be zero tolerance for corruption and personal enrichment. That’s where I’ll disagree with you if found wanting.”

The Abia governor also urged the commissioners to make the people feel the impact of his administration hence the Abia masses must know that he has indeed set up a team that will put things right.

“The responsibilities are huge; you cannot afford to delay or fail,” he told his team players.

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna, who spoke on behalf of the brand new cabinet, accepted the challenge thrown at them.

He thanked Governor Otti for finding them worthy to be part of his “well chosen, well knitted” set of commissioners to contribute in making Abia a place of pride.

“It is our pledge to the people of Abia that we are committed and we’ll do our best to ensure that we do not disappoint Abians and we do not disappoint God,” he said.

The commissioners and their portfolios are as follows:

Professor Monica Ironkwe (Agriculture); Kingsley Anoribe   (Budget and Planning); Professor Uche Eme (Education); Philemon (Environment and Urban Renewal); Mike Akpara  (Finance); Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo (Health); Okey Kanu (Information and Culture); Ikechukwu Uwanna (Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice); Chaka Chukwumerije (Lands and Housing).

Others are, Uzo Nwachukwu (Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs); Professor  Joel Ogbonna (Petroleum and Mineral Resources); Chima Oriaku (Science and Technology); Nwobilor Ananaba (Sports and Youth Development); Dr. Chimezie Ukaegbu (Trade, Commerce and Industry); Ngozi Fabian (Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation); Engr. Don Otumchere Oti (Works); Sunny Onwuma (Transport); Engr. Monday Ikechukwu (Power and Public Utilities; and Matthew Ekwuribe (Digital Economy and Excellence).