Wike swears in appointees, says appointments will always be on merit, capacity

Rivers State Governor,  Nyesom Ezenwo Wike  has  stated that  his cabinet will be built on capacity, merit  and track record of  performance,  saying  nobody  will be  appointed  on the platform  of  mere patronage.

Speaking  during  the  swearing-in  ceremony  of the  Secretary  to the State Government, Chief of Staff, four commissioners and a Special  Adviser  on Friday  at the  Government  House,  Port  Harcourt,  Wike said all  those who will serve in his government  will have the  requisite  knowledge  to  improve  the  state.

Those sworn in by the  Governor  include : Mr. Kenneth  Kobani,  Secretary  to the  State Government,  Engr. Emeka  Woke,  Chief of Staff, Government  House, Mr Emma Okah, Commissioner  for  Housing,  Mr Emmanuel  Aguma,  Attorney-General of the state,  Mrs Onimim  Jack, Commissioner  for  Agriculture,  Dr Fred Kpakol,  Commissioner  for  Finance  and  Sir Opunabo Inko-Tariah,  Special  Adviser on  Media and Publicity to the  Governor. 

He  urged the  new appointees to get down work and ensure  that  they deliver  on programmes  contained in  the administration’s  blueprint.

Wike noted that  all appointments  so far  made by him were  targeted at adding value  to a state that has faced series of  development  challenges  in the  recent  past.

He, particularly, charged  the Attorney  General  of  the  State,  Chinwe  Aguma  to ensure that  there  is  effective  justice  delivery  in the  state. He said  on no account  should  the courts  be closed  in the state as was the  case with  the  previous  administration.

The  governor  directed the new Finance  Commissioner,  Dr Fred Kpakol  to take proactive  measures  to  ensure judicious application  of state finances.

Wike urged the  Chief of  Staff,  Engr. Emeka  Woke  to operate  an open door policy which will make the State Government  House  accessible  to  all  Rivers  people,  irrespective  of  political  affiliation.

He said: “My administration  will be made up of people  with capacity  to deliver on our campaign  promises.  I will  never make appointments  based on patronage.

“There is  so much  work  to do and only persons with capacity  to  add value  will be  appointed.  For those appointed,  you must all strive to  develop  Rivers  State  at all  times “.

The ceremony  was attended  by leaders of the state from the  23 local  government  areas.