Following a series of disappointments and dishonesty and going by the alleged frauds perpetrated on lands administration by some political appointees that served Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State in his first tenure, the governor has appointed himself as Lands Commissioner to adequately and effectively monitor the State Ministry of Lands.
Governor Uzodimma, who spoke to the crowd that attended the Swearing-in ceremony of the new cabinet in Owerri on Tuesday, stated clearly that he would be managing the Ministry of Lands in Imo State.
Governor Uzodimma explained that he took up the mantle to avert the temptation of land grabbing which was the order of the day before he dissolved his former cabinet, hence, he had decided to take up the Ministry of Lands himself.
Consequent to this self-appointment, the governor is one of the 23 Commissioners, who were inaugurated and given portfolios in Owerri, Imo State Capital on Tuesday.
He thereafter announced the following names as commissioners with the following portfolios: Ralph Nwosu in charge of works; Declan Emeluba – Information, Public Orientation and Strategy; Chuck Chukwuemeka for Finance; Chimezie Amadi – Digital Economy and E-Governance; COC Akaolisa – Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice; Emeka Okoronkwo for Special Duties.
Uzodinma also announced the appointments of the following; Oguchienti, the Commissioner for Power; Mayor Emenike – Environment; Modestus Osakwe – Homeland Security; Prosper Onyaygha – Health; Anyanwu Anselem Ezechinyere for Budget and Economic Planning; Bede Eke for Housing and Urban Development.
J.C Nwadike takes charge of the Ministry of Education; Nkechi Ugwu for Women Affairs; Obinna Onyeocha – Sports and Youths; Jerry Egemba takes charge of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Meanwhile, Egemba, a lawyer, in the dissolved cabinet, is the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism. Cosmas Maduba is the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources; Chika Abazu Industry – Trade and Investment; Ikenna Elezianya – Science and Technology, Ruby Emele is the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the position she held in the previous cabinet.
While Emeka Mgbudem is for the Ministry of Petroleum; Ifeanyi Oruh for Rural Development and Governor Hope Uzodinma for the Ministry of Lands.
