By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The Abia state Governor Dr Alex Otti on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, swore-in two new Commissioners with a charge to key into the transformational agenda of the administration.
The coming on board of the two Commissioners, also came with a minor cabinet reshuffle.
In the new arrangement, Dr Mrs Salome Obiukwu, one of the new Commissioners takes over from Kingsley Nwokocha as the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce.
Nwokocha, whose short tenure at the Trade and Commerce Ministry had been dogged by a series of avoidable controversies, was lucky to have escaped outright sack ,as he was reassigned to the Labour and Productivity Ministry.
His less than seven months in the saddle was hugely marked by an unprecedented surge in leadership instability and restlessness within most of the State’s established Markets
Chaka Chukwumerije, son of late Senator Uche Chukwumerije, is now the Commissioner for Lands, after his ministry was split into two.
Architect Chiemela Uzoijie, one of the newly appointed Commissioners is to man the Housing Ministry, carved out of from the Ministry of Lands.
Governor Otti informed that the decision to split the erstwhile Ministry for Lands and Housing into two was to promote efficiency and good service delivery.
He described the new appointments and reshuffling exercise as part of his administration’s continuous efforts at repositioning the State through improved service delivery.
The Governor charged the new Commissioners to hit the ground running, as well as enrich the system with fresh ideas.
Governor Otti emphasized that the new appointees were carefully selected after a rigorous process owing to their proven qualities.
“There is practically no time for honeymoon. We expect that you will quickly invite and welcome support from every available channel so that you can hit the ground running.
“You have been found to posses the import leadership qualities that we seek in our team ,and we are glad that you honour the call to serve your state at this moment in our history .Thank you for offering to be part of the new Abia Project”, Governor Otti noted.
He, however, warned against public officials compromising their positions , insisting that his administration has zero tolerance for corruption.
He further warned that he would not hesitate to wield the big stick should the occasion calls for it.
” Let me repeat a charge I will never get tired of giving at functions like this: Our administration has zero tolerance for corruption ,and practices that take away from the puy till.
“We shall not hesitate to do what has to be done whenever credible evidence of compromise and bad behavior is presented to us.
- “You are all required to live above board as public officers with the understanding that this is a call to serve not an invitation to a banquet.
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