Ortom Rejigs Cabinet, Sacks 8 Commissioners
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – Refocused on effectively delivering dividends of democracy to the Benue people in the New Year and beyond, Governor Samuel Ortom has rejigged his cabinet with eight commissioners losing their jobs in the process.
A statement announcing the partial dissolution of the State Executive Council (SEC) and sacking of the affected Commissioners was signed by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Anthony Ijohor in Makurdi on Tuesday.
However, Prof Ijohor indicated in the statement that among the former team, the governor gave eight commissioners the nod to retain their jobs for now.
He listed those retained in the cabinet as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Micheal Gusa; Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Dr. Joseph Ngbea; Commissioner of Finance, David Olofu; and Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Solid Mineral, Bernard Unenge.
Others include Commissioner of Housing and Urban Development and Supervising Commissioner for the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Chief Ekpe Ogbu; as well as Commissioner of Energy, Science and Technology Overseeing Ministry of Education, Dr. Godwin Oyiwona.
Also on the list of those not sent into the unemployment market are the Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, overseeing Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mrs Nylazungwe Igirgi; and Commissioner of Rural Development, overseeing Ministry of Water Resources, Engineer Victor Ukaha.
According to the statement, the commissioner-nominees are former lawmaker, Dr. Kester Kyenge, Engineer Uungwa Sachia, Agbatar Rodney, Michael Inalegwu, Agber Senjamin Aernan, Dr. Jane Aja, Saawuan Tamongo, and Levi Nguher
The SSG’s statement advised the sacked commissioners to hand over to Permanent Secretaries in their respective Ministries.
“The Governor expresses his profound appreciation to the outgoing commissioners for their service to the State and wishes them well in their future endeavours,” the statement further said.
