Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has charged the 16 newly sworn in Commissioners in the State to align with his administration’s agenda aimed at building a new Abia and improving the living condition of the people.
Governor Otti who gave the charge on Friday, at Government House Umuahia,during the swearing in ceremony of the Commissioners further charged them to justify the confidence reposed on them by exhibiting the hallmarks of excellence, commitment and sense of duty in their new assignment.
The Governor while noting that they were carefully chosen for the job,described the Commissioners as key partners that will serve in the collective mission to rebuild the State and warned that excuses would not be tolerated by the present administration.
He listed the development of critical infrastructures such as good road network,functional drainage system and robust energy distribution networks as key responsibilities that must be accomplished by his administration and urged the newly sworn in Commissioners to live above board in the realization of a new Abia anchored on justice,service and economic rejuvenation.
Governor Otti who further warned that any one found involved in corrupt practices, self aggrandizement and other unwholesome practices will be shown the way out, said the Commissioners were not chosen to represent their individual interest,section of the state or any other group aside the collective interest of Abians.
He said; “Do not betray the trust of our people who have remained patient and loyal to our cause by towing the same path that brought Abia to the sorry state we found ourselves today.
“The privilege of your appointment much not be seen as an opportunity for self enrichment out advancement of unwholesome systems. I can assure you that there shall be zero tolerance for all those.
“There will also be zero tolerance for corruption and personal enrichment, and I also say that is where we will disagree by the time you are found wanting because all of you were carefully selected. I believe that there are more than five million people in Abia so to find yourself among the 19 of 5 million is a rare privilege and you must not take it for granted.
“Job creation, poverty alleviation and measurable improvement in living conditions of the average Abia shall be the center piece of our policy and we must focus on the essentials inorder to begin to demonstrate to our people that we are indeed a team that will get it right.
“The development of critical infrastructure such as quality roads, effective drainage system and robust energy distribution network to power homes and industries are also key responsibilities and assignment that shall not be taken lightly under the new administration and developing an effective framework to achieve these must move at a faster pace now that you are on board.
“The responsibilities are huge, you can neither afford to delay nor fail. Resources are limited, I must admit but you must be prepared to make the most of whatever is available to you to drive the outcomes that we seek.
“Excuses shall not be tolerated and you must be willing at all times to demonstrate that you deserve to remain on this ship. Sycophancy shall have no place in this administration.
“You shall be judged strictly on the basis of what you are bringing to the table, how you are contributing to improve the material conditions of our people. I do not expect you to achieve everything in a day but I expect you to make a daily commitment to fulfilling the promises that got us elected”.
In a vote of thanks on behalf of his colleagues, the Attorney General of the State and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Ikechukwu Uwanna,thanked the Governor for the privilege to serve state and pleged to put in their best in discharge their new responsibilities.
He assured that they would join hands with the Governor to ensure that democracy dividends are given to the people and promised that they will not disappoint God and Abians.
The Newly Sworn in Commissioners And Their Portfolios are;
