No Christmas For You, Mbah Tells New Commissioners

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Tuesday, declared that “there would be no rest for appointees in his administration” in order to meet the expectations of Enugu people.

He stated this during the swearing in of two new commissioners in Enugu.

THE WHISTLER reports that the newly inaugurated commissioners are Barr Osinachi Nnajieze and Dr Charles Egumgbe.

It was gathered that Barr Nnajieze hitherto served as Special Adviser on Legal Matters to the governor. He takes over as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice. Erstwhile Attorney General Kinsgley Udeh has become the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology.

Dr Egumgbe was appointed Commissioner for Chieftaincy Matters and Rural Development following the dismantling of the state’s Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs.

Governor Mbah also announced that Deacon Okey Ogbodo, who oversaw the three ministries, would continue to oversee the Ministry of Local Government Affairs.

Mbah said the appointments were part of a renewed drive to sustain the administration’s momentum. According to him, expectations were high because of the state’s “massive achievements in less than three years”.

Quoting Mbah, “There is no holiday for you or for any appointee. There is so much work to be done if we must continue to meet the expectations of our people.”

Mbah also announced that all contract payments in the state would henceforth require clearance from the Office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

According to him, “All we do in the state and achieve in the state is determined by the effectiveness of the Ministry of Justice. The Ministry of Justice is like an engine room in the true sense of it. We cannot proceed on contracts, investments or projects without clearance from the Ministry of Justice.”

He charged the new attorney general to bring his experience to work.

In his words, “Imagine that we have to spend N1.3 trillion next year on capital projects. You can then begin to imagine the workload you and your team are exposed to. Basically, you are the quality assurance and quality control of the government.

“We have started a policy where there will not be any payment to any contractor without clearance from the Attorney General’s office. So, you have to hit the ground running; no Christmas break for you or other appointees. We have to sustain the momentum.”

On the re-introduced Ministry of Chieftaincy Matters and Rural Development, Governor Mbah said, “Our traditional institutions are a critical part of what we do because the Igwes are the eyes and the ears of government in their various communities. This is why people that occupy those thrones must be of impeccable character and be elected by their people.”

Barr Nnajieze assured Gov Mbah of their readiness to deliver. According to him, “We understand the weight of expectations on us. We will drive the vision with you and we will be with you every step of the way.”

Egumgbe, it was gathered, served as Chieftaincy Affairs Commissioner under former Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.