Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr Alex Otti, OFR, has inaugurated Chairmen and members of various boards of parastatals and agencies in the State with a charge for the board members to bring their experiences to bear in the development of the State.
The various boards inaugurated include; Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) Management Board, the Governing Council of the Public Private Partnership and Investment Promotion Office, Abia State Rural Access Roads Agency, Abia State Roads Funds, Abia State Lottery Board, and the Abia State Library Board.
Inaugurating the boards at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia on Thursday, May 7, Governor Otti said that the inauguration of the leadership and members of the boards is aimed at strengthening institutional leadership in the parastatals.
The Governor described the event as “deepening a culture of accountability and improving the tone and structure of efficiency across several front lines.
“This event is also about strengthening the capacity for the implementation of government policies and programmes with a view to improving the social and economic outlook of the State,” Gov. Otti stated.
Governor Otti, who advised the appointees to refrain from rivalry and unhealthy conflicts between the boards and their management, noted that the appointees were selected on their individual merits and described them as professionals.
“They are all excellent professionals who have distinguished themselves in their chosen fields.
“While I am convinced about the mature disposition of persons that will lead and function through the boards and parastatals, it will however be good to advise against any form of needless rivalry with the management of the agencies.
“The management of the institutions are encouraged to give every required support to the boards,” Gov. Otti stated.
The State Chief Executive said that adequate provisions have been made to cater for their welfare, assuring them that,
“You can take it for granted that whatever you need to perform effectively and meet the expectations that have been set for you shall be provided,” Gov. Otti stated.
Governor Otti used the opportunity to reiterate that his government has maintained the same commitment it started with, from the day one of the administration.
“We have the same commitment, enthusiasm and energy to keep on the pursuit of the same developmental objectives as we did on the very day of our inauguration.
“If anything at all has changed, it is the fact that we are hungry and more determined to do even more for our people.
“We have only accomplished a fraction of what we intend to do, but the indisputable truth is that, important irreversible progress has happened. The old wars of mediocrity, disease of non-performance are permanently broken, never to rise again, Gov. Otti declared.
Responding on behalf of other Chairmen and members of the various boards inaugurated, the Chairman, Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) Management Board and the wife of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Mrs. Ezinne Chinyere Benjamin-Kalu while thanking Governor Otti for the appointment and opportunity to serve, pledged their commitment to supporting the Governor to continue in achieving excellent results in all the parastatals and agencies they would be overseeing.
“Today is a day of profound honour, responsibility, and gratitude to me personally and to every member of the newly inaugurated boards.
“And, we are especially grateful to the Governor for bestowing us with such amount of trust and responsibility and his continuing desire for the transformation of all parastatals of the State.
“I understand clearly that public service at this level is not merely ceremonial. It is call to duty, sacrifice, accountability, and results. So, Your Excellency’s decision to entrust us with this oversight of such a monumental degree is not something we take lightly,” Mrs Benjamin-Kalu stated.
She charged her colleagues to live up to expectations as the institutions they now represent through the appointments have vested enormous responsibilities and trust of the State government on them.
The Governor was joined by the Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, FNSE, SSG, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Commissioners and senior appointees of the Government.
Ctz. UKOHA, NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
