Imo: Governor Uzodimma in a Game of Attrition, Abandons His Commissioner Designates
Anselem Anokwute
The long abandoned, failures, declined and refusal to Inaugurate the newly constituted Commissioners Designates by Imo State Governor Senator Hope Uzodimma several weeks after the State House of Assembly has legislatively cleared about 22 norminees has undoubtedly and allegedly described as a game of attrition from the governor.
It could be recalled that the governor Senator Hope Uzodimma climbed the radar of his second term on the 15 January 2024, thereafter dissolved the State Executive Council Committee two days later, a welcomed development by the people expecting the governor to inject fresh blood into the new council by appointing new people and retaining few old Appointees those who have shown utmost professionalism and capacity in the first term.
As the people of Imo State are currently feeling abandoned and neglected by the Governor having refused or failed to Inaugurate his already constituted Executive cabinet several weeks after their appointment as he could not mind that those creams of appointees are not only serving him but the entire Imo State and the people deserve to have a working Ministry’s under a Commissioner not Perm Sec and a functioning Local Government Area under the Chairman and not DAGS.
The governor Senator Uzodimma should be aware that there are some extent to the capacity of those Permanent Secretary holding swear in the absence of the Commissioners as well as the Director of Administration and General Service, (DAGS) in the Local Government Area against the Elected Chairman of the Council or even Appointed Person.
Meanwhile, the State Civil Servants for the past three months are working without Commissioners and Proprietors as the Permanent Secretary are also civil servants with limited constitutional powers as regards to their overall functions including signing of significant documents.
It is pertinent to note that, Imo people are waiting aloof, in hand akimbo for the official arrival of the Commissioners after the uncertain and unverifiable day for the government Inauguration ceremony.
It could be maintained by asking about the Causes of Persistent delay from the governor in carrying out his executive function by Inaugurating the Commissioners who has been officially satisfied by the State Assembly and undergo the mandatory one week Retreat Programme.
It is disheartening that some of the Commissioner Designates who supposed to be in their respective offices for long time now has finished their personal saves entertainment thinking about how possible to recoup same with the high hope as one in a juice positions.
But are currently leaving at the mercy of neighbors and same well wishers thereby increased the numbers of Imo people impoverished joining the league of the past Appointees who are lamenting and crying for the payment of the severance allowance to enable them substance their family against the economic hardships.
This is high time for the Inauguration of the Commissioners to enable the State move forward from the “mark time” and “sluggish System of government” to ensure and make Imo State great again in terms of practical administration.