Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has charged his newly appointed Commissioners to be prepared to give their best to the service of the state, describing their screening by the State House of Assembly as rigorous.
Fubara stated this at Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday during the swearing-in of the first batch of five Commissioners who had passed 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 already deemed fit and ready to serve as members of the State Executive Council.
He stated that during their screening, the lawmakers had outlined their duties and responsibilities, adding that he expects nothing but the best 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,” 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 to them by His Worship David D. Ihua-Maduenyi, the Chief Registrar, High Court of Rivers State, according to Fubara’s media aide.
Recall 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 of them was dropped following several petitions against him from his kinsmen.
Our correspondent reports that Governor Fubara is expected to send a fresh list of commissioner-nominees to the state legislature, as Rivers has 23 local government areas.
So far, none of the eight commissioners sacked by the governor over a fortnight has been nominated for screening.