The Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has said contrary to media reports, he did not sack his immediate past and pioneer Chief Press Secretary, Kazie Uko and his pioneer Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo.

The governor disclosed this in Umuahia Friday night in a chat with newsmen, stating, “We did not sack the former Chief Press Secretary. We only did re-organization. No appointment is permanent.”

Also explaining the position of the state Commissioner for Health who he suspended a few weeks ago, Otti said, “Suspension of the Commissioner of Health is on allegation based on suspicion. Already, a committee has been set up and the result will come in.”

The governor further said, “Nothing is wrong in suspending a person when there is a prima facie case. If found not guilty, she will return to her job, if not, she will face the consequences of the infraction.”

The governor, who restated his avowed commitment to bringing to account anyone remotely or directly involved in the recent killing of soldiers at the Obikabia Junction a few weeks ago, said, “This government takes security seriously. We are leaving no stones unturned to ensure that everyone connected with that dastard act where soldiers were murdered is brought to book. We have been gettingg the feedback. At the appropriate time, we will let you all know. We have empowered Operation Crush to crush crime anywhere in the state.”

Otti disclosed that he has engaged a Chief Information Technologist to prepare the state for digital transformation that would herald the broadband technology in the state that is already in its final stages of discussion, announcing that in the days ahead, he would disclose the name of the Chief Information Technologist.

Giving reasons for this appointment, Otti said “We are preparing our state for the next century. Wherever you are, you can have access to data”, disclosing that his government plans to digitally transform Abia’s economy and boost technology in the state through the project that will be heralded by the broadband technology which would provide unlimited access to internet in the state.

While noting that internet access is the key to a thriving economy, Otti assured that his infrastructural revolution will be extended to all the nooks and crannies of the 17 LGAs in the next few months, and vowed to make infrastructure, education, health, agriculture, security and others the focus of his second year in office.

His administration, he said, has completed, rehabilitated, constructed, reconstructed and built more than 106 roads, some of them through direct labour.

He said, “We are very strategic on roads which is strategic to the economy. We will touch every local government in the next 12 months.”

General Hospitals in the state, he said, are receiving attention, as well as all Primary Healthcare, but in batches, stating that they will work and function, noting that his administration is doing much in the sector.

The governor said his government is paying a lot of attention to the agriculture sector, disclosing that the first batch of 300 beneficiaries drawn from various wards of the state has been sent to the CSS Farms Nasarawa state to be trained on various agricultural value chains. He also stated that the government is partnering with organizations and companies in areas of palm oil, cocoa, and rice production as well as in other agricultural value chains.

Reacting to the issue of long overdue staff promotions, conversion and confirmation, Otti said he had directed the Chairman, Civil Service Commission and Head of Service to look into the matter to give the matter the needed attention.

“At the last EXCO meeting, I had instructed the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission and the Head of Service to sit down and look at promotions and the like and from the report that I got, I think the last time promotions were done was in 2021. So, that throws up quite some challenges.

“At least, let’s look at it and see what we can do. We are not ignoring it. But you must also admit that a lot of things went wrong just like every other sector”, Otti said, adding that his government is prioritising the welfare of workers, hence he has been regular in salary payment and pensions, assuring that arrears of leave allowances would be paid.

“My understanding of leave allowances is that they are due when you go on leave. We don’t have any problem paying people who are going on leave. If there are arrears that have not been paid, the state is going to deal with the new minimum wage and the leave allowances.” He disclosed that as of that Friday, “every ABSU staff has received his salary up to date”.

Asked about his romance with other party faithful, the governor said, “We run an open door government where every person from other political parties are welcomed. I just received one of our former governors in the state and this demonstrates that what we are talking about is the welfare, and well-being of all Abians, political party not minding. I am not a governor of one party, but of the state and all must have a say”, adding, “We have thrown away feeding bottles and all involved should go and find something doing”.

Questioned on the killing of staff at Inner Galaxy company in Ukwa, Otti said, “The foreigner involved in the killing is under detention since”, adding that he opposes the closure of the business because of one man’s crime, as it will affect Abians employed in that company.

Otti used the occasion to reveal that a committee has been set up to rid the streets of the state of mentally challenged individuals. (Saturday PUNCH)

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