Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has urged his newly appointed Commissioners to commit fully to serving the state, noting that their screening by the State House of Assembly was “rigorous.”
Fubara made the remarks at Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday during the swearing-in of the first batch of five Commissioners who successfully passed the screening exercise on Monday. This information was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi.
The governor said that having undergone one of the most rigorous screening processes, the commissioners are considered fit and ready to serve as members of the State Executive Council.
“I believe that having gone through one of the most rigorous screenings, it is enough to say that for those of you who succeeded, you are fit and ready to deliver to our dear State. So there is no further charge. The screening was the charge. So, I wish you the best as I don’t expect anything less than the best from you,” Governor Fubara stated.
The five Commissioners sworn in include Mr Tonye Bellgam, Prof. Temple Nwofor, Dr Peters Nwagor, Mr Lekue Kenneth, and Sir Amairigha Edward Hart. The Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office were administered by His Worship David D. Ihua-Maduenyi, the Chief Registrar of the High Court of Rivers State.
Earlier, the State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, had rejected four of the nine commissioner-nominees sent by the governor, citing poor performance and inconsistent documentation, while one nominee was dropped following petitions from his kinsmen.
Governor Fubara is expected to forward a fresh list of commissioner-nominees to the legislature, as Rivers State has 23 local government areas. The eight commissioners removed by the governor over the past fortnight have not yet been renominated for screening.