From Ikechukwu Duru Owerri
Imo state Government will henceforth prosecute erring commissioners and other top government officials
The state Governor Hope Uzodimma disclosed this while swearing in four new commissioners at the government House Owerri .
He however charged the members of the state executive council to do every thing possible to avoid getting involved in any form of corruption while discharging their official function
The Governor emphasized “no government official involved in any form of corruption would be left unpunished”
He however urged the new commissioners and other top government officials to avoid getting involved in corruption
Uzodimma said that the swearing in ceremony is symbolic in many respects because “oath taking signals readiness to serve with commitment, diligence and honesty.”
The new commissioners are Dr. Mrs. Doris Nkeiruka Uzoka Anite (Ministry of Finance and Coordinating Economy), Prof. Boniface Ginikanwa Nwogu (Ministry of Science and Technology), Mazi Uche John Ohia (Ministry of Tourism) and Dr. Bartholomew Chukwunonye Okorochukwu (Ministry of Health).
He explained that the Commissioners were chosen to reinvigorate and fuse in new blood into the Cabinet for the journey ahead.
The Governor reminded the new appointees that “the job is a very serious one” adding that they need to be constantly on their toes to justify their commitment in service of Imo State and the confidence reposed in them.”
He urged them to “serve transparently with accountability and honesty at the back of their mind always,” noting that “the mandate handed over to them is to serve Imo people
The Governor however reminded them that there is no permanent seat or portfolio for any member, “rather performance determines the tenure of a council member and the portfolio he/she holds
He reiterated government’s commitment to the welfare of civil servants and teachers in the State, insisting that over 42,000 verified and cleared civil and public servants in the State have been paid their salaries up to date
The Governor revealed that 10,000 workers were discovered to be ghost workers pointing out that of the 947 civil servants who are yet to be paid many of them were found to be receiving double salaries
He maintained that such workers cannot be paid by the government until they come up to explain what transpired and how they plan to refund such public funds they fraudulently took from government.
However, the Governor assured that efforts are being made to sustain payment of pensions and salaries saying that , “government cannot afford to pay gratuities now which have accumulated to over N58billion’
According to him, “In the past the Civil Service was excluded from governance but we have made efforts to return the system to its former glory,”
The Governor also inaugurated the Board Members of the state Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) Owerri.
The board members are Hon. Emma Dike (Chairman) and Sir James Egbuchulam, Director-General, IBC as Secretary.
Other members include Engr. Onwuelingo Okechukwu, Ms. Ify Onyegbule, Sir John Uchechukwu Nnabuihe, and Sir Kennedy Amanze who represents the Ministry of Information and Strategy.
Speaking on behalf of other members Dr. (Mrs.) Anite thanked the Government and Imo people for trusting them and believing in their capacity to serve to serve.
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