Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has charged his newly appointed commissioners to be prepared to give their best in service to the state, describing their screening by the state House of Assembly as rigorous.
Fubara made the remarks at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday, during the swearing-in of the first batch of five commissioners who successfully scaled the screening exercise at the state legislature on Monday.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onwuka Nzeshi, and made available to newsmen.
The governor said that, having passed through one of the most rigorous screening exercises, the commissioners were deemed fit and ready to serve as members of the State Executive Council.
He added that during the screening, lawmakers had outlined the commissioners’ duties and responsibilities, and he expected nothing less than excellence from them.
“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,” Fubara stated.
The five commissioners are 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 to them by the Chief Registrar of the High Court of Rivers State, David D. Ihua-Maduenyi, according to the statement.
The PUNCH reports that the state House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, had rejected four of the nine commissioner-nominees sent by the governor for screening and confirmation as members of the state executive council.
The House cited poor performance and inconsistent documentation by the nominees during the screening, while one nominee was dropped following several petitions against him from his kinsmen.
Our correspondent reports that Fubara is expected to submit a fresh list of commissioner-nominees to the legislature, as Rivers State has 23 local government areas.
So far, none of the eight commissioners dismissed by the governor over the past fortnight has been re-nominated for screening.
