Hope Uzodimma, the governor of Imo state has said his administration will condone corruption.
He said jubilation by political admirers of political office holders are veiled expectations of corrupt favours.
Speaking on Wednesday during the swearing in of new members of his cabinet, he explained that his administration has no room for corruption as the bible frowns against it.
Those who were sworn-in as Commissioners include Dr. (Mrs.) Doris Nkeiruka Uzoka Anite (Ministry of Finance and Coordinating Economy); Prof. Boniface Ginikanwa Nwogu (Ministry of Science and Technology); Mazi Uche John Ohia (Ministry of Tourism) and Dr. Bartholomew Chukwunonye Okorochukwu (Ministry of Health).
According to the Governor, the coming on board of the new Commissioners is to reinvigorate the cabinet and make it more result-oriented.
He added that fusing new blood into the system means that his administration is recharging for the journey ahead.
“With three more years to go into our first tenure, we still have a lot to offer the people of Imo State.
” For the incoming Commissioners, this job is not a tea party. I am sure that your colleagues would have told you that you need to constantly be on your toes to justify your appointment. Because of the sorry state of affairs we met on assumption of office, we cannot be complacent in the execution of our duties.
“I am sure that you are already conversant with our covenant with Imo people which is to serve transparently with accountability and responsibility as our motto.
” In the attainment of our prosperity agenda as encapsulated in our 3Rs mantra of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Recovery, we have the mandate to serve Imo people with everything at our disposal.
” That being the case, you must consider your appointment as a call to service. You must prove your mettle by adding value to the system. If I were you, I will give my very best to the system to justify the confidence reposed on me” .
Uzodimma informed the commissioners that putting in their utmost best presupposes that indolence and laxity must be an alien culture to them.
“Let me however sound this note of warning that nobody has got a permanent seat in the Executive Council and the portfolio he or she occupies as well. Your performance will determine the tenure of each member of the council.
” While I welcome the new ones, may I also use this opportunity to appreciate the old ones for your service to the state. We all must work in synergy for the progress and development of the state.
” Let me in a special way congratulate the four new commissioners who have just been sworn in. As you celebrate your new appointment with your people, who I have seen gathered in their hundreds, never you lose sight of the fact that the oath of office you have just taken is a solemn call to service.
“I think that it will be in your interest not to be carried away by the wild jubilation of your admirers over your appointment. Often these loud jubilations are veiled expectations of corrupt favours from you, which if not well managed may be the beginning of your problems as a public office holder.
“Let me emphasise that my administration has neither room nor window for corruption. For me corruption is a mortal sin which even the bible frowns at. Therefore to all the members of the cabinet I say be wise, do your job well. Never be carried away by what you will get by serving but by what you will leave behind after service”.
