Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has reshuffled the state executive council with the addition of two Commissioners and one Special Adviser.
The Commissioners are: Salome Obiukwu, who now assumes office as Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Chiemela Uzoije as Commissioner for Housing and Christian Enweremadu as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture.
Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony held at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Umuahia on Tuesday, Otti who announced cabinet adjustments, said that the former Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Kingsley Nwokocha, will now serve as the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity.
The governor also revealed that the Ministry of Lands and Housing has been split into two separate portfolios to improve efficiency, noting that Chaka Chukwumerije now becomes the Commissioner for Lands.
Otti described the appointments as part of his administration’s strategy of periodically injecting fresh ideas to enrich the quality and broaden the scope of his administration’s performance.
He congratulated the trio for scaling through the rigorous nomination and screening process, reminded them of his administration’s zero-tolerance policy on corruption and warned that the government will not hesitate to sanction those found wanting.
Otti emphasised the need for the new officials to quickly settle into their roles, stressing that “there is practically no time for a honeymoon. We expect that you will quickly invite and welcome support from every available channel so that it can hit the ground running.
He said, “You have been found to possess the important leadership qualities that we seek in our team and we are glad that you honour the call to serve your state at this devout moment in our history. Thank you for offering to be part of the new Abia Project.
“I do not expect that you will find it easy, but you have the peculiar advantage of working with colleagues who will be willing to share their experiences and the steps taken to keep their heads above water.
