Abia state Governor, Dr Alex Otti has said that proficiency remains a standard for the appointment of individuals into positions of leadership in the present administration.
Governor Otti stated this on Tuesday, at Government House Umuahia, during the swearing in of Mrs Ngozi Felix as Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviaton, and Mr Ikechukwu Monday as Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, at the Government, House, Umuahia.
The Governor said that his administration was poised to ensure that appointments were given to people that had the capacity and potential to make meaningful contributions to the growth of Abia.
He said that in the past appointments were seen as a tool for political settlement, and added that government was determined to change that narrative by engaging technocrats that would facilitate the execution of its rebuilding agenda.
Otti said:” Gone are the days of making appointments to create jobs for the boys.
“Our appointments are made to add value and anywhere we see resources, we will go for it.
“This is because every institution can only be as good as the people that are running the institution and we are in continuous search for the right people to ensure that ‘square pegs are put in square holes’ for best results.”
He charged the newly sworn-in commissioners to give their best as they discharge their duties, adding that poor performance would not be accepted by the government and people of Abia.
According to him, the new commissioners had a proven track record of excellence in their choosen career paths, which had made it pertinent for them to evolve ideas that would boost socioeconomic development in Abia.
“I charge you to bring in your best initiative, so that our people will rejoice,” Otti said.
Responding on behalf of his colleague,the commissioner for Power and Public Utility, Mr Ikechukwu Monday thanked the Governor for providing the opportunity for them to be part of the rebuilding project and pledged to do their best in the service of the state.
