The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu on Monday sworn-in seven new Permanent Secretaries in the Abia State Public Service.
Ikpeazu during the exercise at the Executive Chamber of the State stated that the new permanent secretaries have a clear mandate to be arrowheads of reform and agents of change.
A release by Governor Ikpeazu’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Onyebuchi Ememanka said that the governor reminded them that the Civil Service had been and would remain the engine room of every government which plays critical roles in sustaining the stability of the workings of government.
“ Ikpeazu said, that the service must be reformed to respond effectively to the rapidly evolving challenges that confront us.
“As an administration, we are focused on job creation because we believe that the government must be able to provide platforms to create jobs which explain why we take the Enyimba Economic City very seriously because of its potentials to expand our economy and create jobs”.
“As leaders of the service, you must provide mentorship to your younger colleagues. I am confident that judging from your various track records in the service over the years, you will discharge your assignments with diligence and dignity. I congratulate you on attaining the apex position in your chosen careers and let me formally welcome you to the Body of Permanent Secretaries”.
Earlier, the Solicitor General of the State and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Enyinnaya Okezie Esq had administered the oaths on the new Permanent Secretaries.
Responding on behalf of his colleagues, Mr. Isaac Nwachukwu thanked the Governor for finding them fit for this elevation and assured that in the finest traditions of the service, they will be diligent in the discharge of their duties.
Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu, wife of the Deputy Governor, Lady Vivian Oko Chukwu, Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Chris Ezem, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Uche Ihediwa Esq, State Head of Service, Sir Onyii Wamah, Permanent Secretaries, etc were present at the event.
Former Chief Judge of the State, Hon. Justice S N Imo (Rtd), former SSG, Professor Chibuzor Ogbuagu, and spouses of the new Permanent Secretaries were also part of the very impressive event.
Meanwhile, the announcement of the reappointment of the serving 17 Local Government Transition Committee chairmen and their deputies by the State government has generated mixed reactions among Abians
While many believed that it is a right step in the right direction, others, however, expressed worries over the continued abuse of the constitution by the state 36 state governments who prefer appointing TC chairmen than allowing the Local Government administration governed by elected officials.
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Some respondents including Mr. Iheanyi Nkemjika while faulting the choice of Ikpeazu to reappoint the TC chairmen, urged Civil Societies in the state and the country at large to resist governors using TC chairmen to run the affairs of the local governments.
“For me, there is more to the reappointment of the TC chairmen than the normal eyes can meet. Ikpeazu made us to understand that he is a true democrat and there is no better time to prove that than now.
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