Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has charged Government officials to give in their best by demonstrating dedication and excellence in serving the State.
Governor Otti gave the charge, on Tuesday at the Banquet Hall, Government House Umuahia, during the swearing-in ceremony of his Special Adviser on Projects, Dr Emmanuel Meribeole and the inauguration of the Executive Secretary of the Abia State Diaspora Commission, Dr Mrs Annie Onu.
Governor Otti who reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to high standards, warned that corruption and poor performance would not be tolerated.
He emphasized that his administration’s places high standard on service delivery, pointing out that Abians deserve the best and urged those privileged to serve to strive to meet those expectations.
“Here we have zero tolerance for corruption and poor performance.Our expectations are always very high because the standards Abia people deserve are also very high.
“People who are serving,those who have been selected, those who have been privileged to be of service to the people give the best; only the best is acceptable.
“I charge you to give your best. You are going to meet challenges, people will oppose you, but like I always say, once you remain focused, you will get to your destination”, Governor Otti said.
The Governor described his Special Adviser on Projects, Dr Meribole, a medical doctor with a career transition into project management and engineering, who recently retired from the Federal Ministry of Aviation as a Permanent Secretary as “a square peg in a square hole”.
Governor Otti who emphasized Dr Meribole’s vast experience in aviation infrastructure as an asset to Abia, expressed confidence in his ability to contribute meaningfully to the State’s development.
“He is one of our gifts from Abia to the nation. We thought we should bring him to contribute to what we are doing in this State.
“He has already jumped into the construction of the Abia Airport and coming from that industry, I believe that we can go to bed without our eyes closed, because he already knows what to do.
“He has already started engaging and monitoring the contractors ensuring that everything goes well in the construction that has already started.
“Of course, beyond that there are several other projects and he will have his eyes on all of them ensuring quality, ensuring timelines are delivered and cost overrruns are avoided as much as possible.
“We want to welcome you and we know that you are not going to disappoint us“, Otti stated.
The Governor also congratulated the new Executive Secretary of the Abia State Diaspora Commission and charged her to strengthen ties between the State and its Diaspora Community.
“Your job is to coordinate the Abia Diaspora Commission and ensure that the contact between them and home is maintained .
“Of course, those of them that can contribute to the development of the state, we have a channel through which they can do that.
“You already have started your work anyway, so the transition to Executive Secretary is for you to have the seal of authority instead of being just a member of the Commission which you were before now”, he explained.
Responding, the Special Adviser on Projects, Dr. Emmanuel Meribeole while appreciating the Governor for appointing him, assured that he would bring his wealth of experience and expertise to bear in ensuring the Governor achieves his vision, adding that he would not disappoint the confidence reposed in him.
Also, the Executive Secretary, Abia State Diaspora Commission Dr. Mrs.Annie Onu, who expressed joy to be part of development narratives of the State under Governor Otti, and promised to galvanizing the Abia Diaspora Community for greater development of the State.
