Gov Otti Inaugurates Six Newly Reconstituted Boards and Agencies

By Ezechukwu Adimoha

ABIA – Governor Alex Otti has inaugurated chairmen and members of six Boards and Agencies, with a charge on them to work towards strengthening institutional governance in addition to supporting his administration’s development agenda.

The newly inaugurated Boards includes Governing Council of the Public-Private Partnership and Investment Promotion Office, Rural Access Roads Agency, State Roads Fund, Abia State Lottery Board, Abia State University Teaching Hospital,(ABSUTH) Management Board and the Abia State Library Board.

Speaking while performing the ceremony at the Michael Okpara Auditorium Umuahia, Governor Otti said that the inauguration is a strategic move aimed at deepening institutional leadership and improving governance across critical sectors of the state economy.

The Governor said that the event would drive the actualisation of his administration’s medium- and long-term multi-sectoral development and sustainability objectives as well as improving the tone and structure of efficiency across several frontlines.

Governor Otti while congratulating the newly inaugurated board members, described them as seasoned professionals with proven competence in their respective fields, pointing out that their appointments were strictly based on merit.

The governor used the forum and cautioned the appointees against unnecessary interference in the day-to-day operations of ministries, departments and agencies, warning that conflict with management teams could undermine efficiency and productivity.

Governor Otti also urged management teams of the MDAs to cooperate fully with the newly inaugurated board members and give them every required support,assuring the appointees that adequate welfare arrangements have been made put in place to enable them carry out their assignments effectively.

He also commended the State House of Assembly for providing legislative support towards the establishment of some of the agencies whose boards were inaugurated, noting that more agencies would be inaugurated after the completion of legislative processes establishing them.

Speaking on behalf of the newly inaugurated board members, the Chairman, Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Management Board, Dr. Ezinne Benjamin-Kalu, while thanking Governor Otti for the confidence reposed in them through the appointments, pledged to immediately key behind the development agenda of the Governor for greater service delivery to Ndi-Abia.

Dr Ben-Kalu noted that the appointments reflected the present administration’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery and improving institutional performance across all sectors.

The Deputy Governor, Chief Ikechukwu Emetu, Secretary to Abia State Government, Dr Emmanuel Meribole, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, members of the state executive council, among other distinguished personalities were present during the Inauguration.