Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah has inaugurated two new commissioners, saying the move was part of his government’s renewed momentum in delivering good and impactful governance.
The new Commissioners are Barr. Osinachi Nnajieze and Dr. Charles Egumgbe. While Barr. Nnajieze, who was the Special Adviser on Legal Matters to the Governor before his appointment replaces Dr. Kingsley Udeh, current Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Egumgbe was designated as the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Matters and Rural Development carved out from the now split Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs.
Deacon Okey Ogbodo will continue to head the Ministry of Local Government Affairs.
Speaking during the brief inauguration ceremony in the Executive Chambers, Government House, Enugu, on Wednesday, Mbah declared that there would be no holiday for both the new and old appointees, stressing that there was so much work to be done in order to meet the people’s expectations now raised so high by the administration’s massive achievements in less than three years.
As part of the efforts to strengthen the system, Mbah said all contract payments would henceforth be cleared by the Office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to checkmate observed sharp practices by some unscrupulous contractors.
“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. This is because we cannot proceed without getting your clearance. If we want to move on contract, investment, project, we must get clearance from the Ministry of Justice,” he stated.
He urged the new Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to brace up for the huge task ahead, especially given the sensitiveness and enormity of responsibilities vested in the Ministry.
“Imagine that we have to spend N1.3 trillion next year on capital projects. You can then begin to imagine the work load you and your team are exposed to. Basically, you are the quality assurance and the 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,” he asserted.
On another note, Governor Mbah described the traditional institutions and rural areas as critical centres of administration and development, hence the need to create a ministry specifically dedicated to Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development.
He directed the new Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Dr. Egumgbe, to work to strengthen the traditional institutions.
“We believe that our traditional instituitions are a crtitical part of what we do because the Igwes (traditional rulers) are the eyes and the ears of government in their various communties. This is why people that occupy those thrones are to be people of impeccable character and must be elected by the people.
“Therefore, it is my hope that you strengthen sanity and order in that subsector,” the governor charged him.
In his acceptance speech on behalf of the new commissioners, Barr. Nnajieze said that they understood the weight of expectations on them, assuring that they would add impetus to his humongous vision and unprecedented transformation of Enugu State.
“We thank you very much for the privilege to be at the echelon of this vision. We will drive the vision with you and we will be with you every step of the way,” he assured.
