Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo has sworn in 18 commissioners and assigned portfolios to them, bringing the total number of commissioners in the state to 28.
Uzodimma performed the inauguration in a brief ceremony at Government House, Owerri, on Monday.
Those sworn-in included Prof. E. J. C. Duru (ministry of Environment); Dr. Prosper Ohayaya (Health); Prof. Sylvester Okorondudu (Education); Dr. Anthony Mgbeahuruike (Livestock) and Barr. Kezie Ogaziechi (Lands and Physical Planning).
Others were Barr. Rex Anunobi (Transport); Mrs Love Ineh (Housing); Mrs Rubby Emele (Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs); Mr Simeon Ebegbulem (Commerce and Industry); Dr. Okey Anukwuen (Special Duties); Chief Ford Ozurumba (Labour and Productivity); Lady Ann Dozie (Powers and Water Resources); Rt. Hon. Goodluck Opiah (Petroluem) Mr Stanley Obidiegwu (Special Projects); Dr. Ugorji O. Ugorji (Homeland Security and Vigilante Affairs); Dr. Elias Emedom (Mines and Solid Minerals) and Hajia Rabbi Ibrahim (Humanitarian Affairs).
The governor called on the newly sworn-in commissioners to see their appointments as a call to duty and service to the people or be thrown out if they performed below expectations.
“Your appointment is a call to duty and public service, not a tea party, and it requires solemn commitment to serve Imo people in the fear of God.
“I took my time to select you people because I wanted the best our state can offer and I am satisfied today because we have got the best.
“Your primary responsibility is service and governance and not politicking, the reason you must concentrate on working with me to Share Prosperity to Imo people,” he said.
He acknowledged possible shortfalls in the past two years of his administration but asked the Commissioners to see their appointments as an opportunity to correct such mistakes by bringing their capacity and ingenuity to bear.
He listed his achievements as governor to include reduction of payroll fraud to its barest minimum and construction and rehabilitation of critical road infrastructure and rejigging the Education and Health Sectors.
He, however, identified his most daunting challenge to be insecurity but thanked God that he had recorded massive improvement in the area.
Speaking on behalf of her colleagues, the Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Mrs. Anne Dozie, thanked the Governor for finding them worthy to serve in his government and pledged that they would put in their best.
Highlights of the event were the elevation of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to a full-fledged Ministry and the redeployment of erstwhile Commissioner for Health, Dr. Barthy Okorochukwu, to the Ministry of Agriculture. (NAN)