Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State on Friday swore in 19 commissioners and 10 Special Advisers cleared by the state House of Assembly on Thursday to serve in his government.
Obiano while performing the ceremony at Government House, said that he demanded 100 per cent loyalty from the newly sworn commissioners and special advisers and that anyone he found wanting will be relieved of his appointment.
The Governor described them as some of the finest in Anambra State and encouraged them to abide by the oath of office they have sworn to and so he expected the to deliver.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Anali Chude who spoke for the newly sworn in appointees pledged to work at the pace of the Governor and not to disappoint him.
The commissioners sworn in are: Anali Chude-Attorney-General; Commissioner for Justice; Callistus Ilozumba who served under Governor Peter Obi administration retains his portfolio as Commissioner of Works, Azuka Enemuo who also served Governor Obi again retained her portfolio of Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Greg Obi Commissioner for Finance and Prof. Kate Omenugha, former Head of Mass Communication department at Nnamdi Azikiwe University-Education.
Others are Professor Solomon Chukwulobelu-Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget; Ifeatu Onyejeme- Trade and Commerce ; Dr. Vicky Chikwelu-Women Affairs, Chinedu Emeka who was former Deputy Governor to Chinwoke Mbadinuju was appointed Commissioner for Public Utilities and Water Resources and Community Development; former Sun newspaper Managing Director Tony Onyima- Information and Culture, Chukwuma Mbonu-Transport, Evaristus Ubah-Environment; Stella Onuora –Lands, Survey and Urban Planning.
Others are Nnamdi Meko, former chairman of Nigeria Farmers Association, Anambra State chapter-Agriculture, Obi Nwankwo, Science and Technology; Tony Nnacheta-Sports, Dr. Joseph Akabike-Health; Nobert Obi-Special Duties; Tony Nnachetam-Youth and Sports as well as Law Chinwuba who is Commissioner for Housing.
Obiano also assented to the Anambra 2014 budget “for the family and wealth creation” and thanked the state House of Assembly for passing the budget saying it is a sign of continuity.
The budget is N145.4 billion which is 24 percent higher than the 2013 budget.
Obiano said he has commenced alignment of the budget to the economic focus areas of his government which he called economic pillars including Agriculture , Industrialization, trade and commerce and oil and gas.
He pointed out t that his model for driving economic growth in Anambra is reflected in a wheel of progress which with successful implementation of initiatives developed around these economic pillars, the state sustainably deliver the dividends of democracy to our people such as good roads, an orderly and well secured society.
Obiano concluded that “….so we must focus our energy and resources to being the best in the four economic pillars relative to other states and regions around us.
“…we will restructure our budget such that over 50 percent of the budget is spent on establishment enabling environment for the four pillars making it easy for investors and businesses to come in and excel here with resultant significant growth in IGR collected in the state.
“It will also enable us to effectively fund continued investment in achieving our MDG Goals and capacity to deliver the dividends of democracy.
‘’It is my intention to implement this budget successfully and in so doing set the stage for a more vibrant economy in our state……….relevant state functionaries will get copies of the state’s economic blueprint and will participate in various strategic retreats and economic summits planned to keep us adequately informed and prepared to deliver on our budget and make the dividends of democracy available to our people as planned for in this year’s focus based and result oriented budget.
‘’….As you can see , power, security , health , education , the use of modern technology in the civil service called E-Government and by the citizens, roads, and other types of modern means of transportation, law, order and cleanliness as well as SME sector are enablers that will receive a huge proportion of our budget expenditure. These are areas that we must address to pave way for significant investments in the economic engines by private sector.”
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