Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has sworn in two new commissioners, declaring that there would be no rest for appointees as his administration intensifies efforts to deliver impactful and people-centred governance.
The newly inaugurated commissioners are Barr. Osinachi Nnajieze and Dr. Charles Egumgbe. Barr. Nnajieze, who until his appointment served as Special Adviser on Legal Matters to the Governor, takes over as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, replacing Dr. Kingsley Udeh, now Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology. Dr. Egumgbe was appointed Commissioner for Chieftaincy Matters and Rural Development, following the creation of the ministry from the defunct Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs.
Governor Mbah also announced that Deacon Okey Ogbodo will continue to oversee the Ministry of Local Government Affairs.
Speaking during the brief inauguration ceremony held on Tuesday at the Executive Chambers, Government House, Enugu, the governor said the appointments were part of a renewed drive to sustain the administration’s momentum, stressing that expectations had been raised by what he described as the government’s massive achievements in less than three years.
“There is no holiday for you or for any appointee,” Mbah declared. “There is so much work to be done if we must continue to meet the expectations of our people.”
As part of measures to strengthen accountability and curb sharp practices, the governor announced that all contract payments in the state will henceforth require clearance from the Office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
“All we do in the state and achieve in the state is determined by the effectiveness of the Ministry of Justice. The Ministry of Justice is like an engine room in the true sense of it,” Mbah said. “We cannot proceed on contracts, investments or projects without clearance from the Ministry of Justice.”
Charging the new Attorney General to brace up for the task ahead, the governor highlighted the scale of responsibility before the ministry.
“Imagine that we have to spend N1.3 trillion next year on capital projects. You can then begin to imagine the workload you and your team are exposed to. Basically, you are the quality assurance and quality control of the government,” he stated.
He added, “We have started a policy where there will not be any payment to any contractor without clearance from the Attorney General’s office. So, you have to hit the ground running; no Christmas break for you or other appointees. We have to sustain the momentum.”
Turning to the newly created Ministry of Chieftaincy Matters and Rural Development, Governor Mbah described traditional institutions and rural communities as critical pillars of governance and development, justifying the decision to dedicate a ministry to the sector.
“Our traditional institutions are a critical part of what we do because the Igwes are the eyes and the ears of government in their various communities,” he said. “This is why people that occupy those thrones must be of impeccable character and be elected by their people.”
He charged Dr. Egumgbe to restore order and strengthen confidence in the traditional institution, adding, “It is my hope that you strengthen sanity and order in that subsector.”
Responding on behalf of the newly sworn-in commissioners, Barr. Nnajieze expressed gratitude to the governor, assuring him of their readiness to deliver.
“We understand the weight of expectations on us,” he said. “We thank you very much for the privilege to be at the echelon of this vision. We will drive the vision with you and we will be with you every step of the way.”
The ceremony marked another step in Governor Mbah’s ongoing retooling of his cabinet as the administration pushes to consolidate its reform agenda across key sectors of the state.
