Gov. Okowa sacks two commissioners, reshuffles others

Although, the Governor said his action was in line with the state government’s desire “to re-energise the machinery of government and bring new impetus into service delivery”, a top government functionary attributed the minor change to the realignment and repositioning strategy ahead of the 2019 general elections. The affected Commissioners are Dr. Nicholas Azinge, formerly in charge of the Ministry of Health and Chief Dan Okenyi (Culture & Tourism), who was recently redeployed from the Ministry of Lands, Survey, Urban and Regional Planning over alleged land racketeering and grabbing. Those sacked made their last outing as a Commissioner with the Governor when he had stakeholders meeting tagged “Peaceful Co-existence amongst Farmers, Herdsmen and Host Communities”, at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, three days ago. Those reassigned include, Hon Asupa Forteta, the former Commissioner in charge of the Directorate of Youths Development, now to the Directorate of Urban Renewal and Chief Karo Ilolo, who was initially in the Directorate of Urban Renewal, to now take charge of the Youths Development. Others are Hon. Bright Edejewhro, formerly in Local Government Affairs, now takes charge of the Ministry of Science and Technology, while Hon Joyce Overah, who was in the Ministry of Science and Technology, has now been moved to the Directorate of Local Government Affairs. The Governor, in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Festus Ovie Agas, thanked the sacked commissioners for their commitments and contributions to the realisation of his five prong SMART agenda, and wish them success in their future endeavours. The statement also said decision takes effect from yesterday,February 8, 2018]]>