By Onyekachi Eze
The administration of Senator Hope Uzodinma may run without commissioners in charge of critical areas like Finance and petroleum if what the newspaper obtained as list of commissioners and their portfolios are to be reckoned.
The inauguration of political appointees to the Imo State governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma was held on Monday, at the Ahiajoku Convention Center, new Owerri.
Sworn in were 23 commissioners, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, and heads of some government agencies.
However, it was shocking when the governor only led the oath taking of his appointees, without allotting portfolios to them.
Shortly after the program, Trumpeta Newspaper was surprised to see different list containing portfolios of the commissioners, which the governor did not officially announced. This newspaper learnt that the fear of coronavirus forced the governor to end the program.
From the list, while new ministries were created, like ministry of livestock development, special project, special duties, entrepreneurship and skill acquisition, old ones like Finance, Petroleum and Sports were omitted.
This newspaper reliably gathered that governor Uzodinma may have considered none of the commissioners qualification fit for finance position, while that of Petroleum and Sports overtaken by events.
Meanwhile, the governor has sent a name, Chuks O. N Chukwuemeka, from Isiala Mbano LGA to the house of Assembly as a commissioner nominee for immediate screening.
The Speaker, Collins while reading out the nominee’s qualifications from report made by the ad-hoc committee on screening gave a nod to his nomination.
Chukwuemeka is said to be a chartered accountant with wide experience in financial activities. He has been cleared.
In the past, Ministry of Environment operated with Petroleum. The Petroleum Ministry is vital considering that Imo State is an oil producing state with oil companies engaging in exploration at Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta LGAs.
In a related development, portfolios for the new commissioners are; Dr. Mrs. Damaris Osunkwo-Ministry of Health, Dr. Iyke Njoku- Ministry of Environment, Prof. B.T.O. Ikegwuoha- Ministry of Education, Raph Nwosu- Ministry of Works, Tony Umezurike- Ministry of Public Utilities, Dr. Love Ineh- Ministry of Housing, Dr. Elias Martins Emedom- Ministry of Social Welfare and Sanitation, Dr. Fabian Ihekweme- Ministry of Foreign/Int’L Affairs, Hon. Declan Emelumba- Ministry of Information and Strategy, Barr. Enyinnaya Onuegbu- Ministry of Lands, Barr. Rex Anunobi- Ministry of Transport, Engr. C.C. Osuala- Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. (Mrs.) Nkechi Ugwu- Ministry of Gender and Vulnerable Group, Hon. Daniel C. Ogu- Ministry of Youths and Social Devpt, Dr. Lambert Orisakwe- Ministry of Agric and Natural Resources, Barr. Doris Akubuo- Ministry of Tourism and Creative Arts, Barr. Francis Dibiagwu- Ministry of Special Duties, Barr. Kingsley Ononuju- Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Hon. Noble Atulegwu- Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition, Barr. C.O.C. Akolisa- Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Simom Ebegbulem- Ministry of Special Project, Mrs. Obiageri Ajoku- Ministry of Livestock Development, Hon. Iyke Umeh- Ministry of Technology Development.
