We rationalized 31 ministries we met to 18 for efficiency, cut wastes—Ihedioha

Imo State Governor, Hon Emeka Ihedioha, has given insights on why his administration came up with only 18 ministries from the 31 he met on ground , saying “I am glad to say that we have reduced this number to a functional Eighteen (18) to drive efficiency and reduce unnecessary duplications and expenses”.

Making further revelations while swearing in the new Commissioners earlier this week in Owerri, Governor Ihedioha disclosed that “As we traversed the nooks and crannies of the State, canvassing for your support during our campaigns, we realized the need to populate our rebuild Imo team with persons of stellar quality and proven integrity.

“We recognized the need to have competent persons as appointees to share the mantle of leadership with. With the successful screening of our nominees as Commissioners Designate by the Imo State House of Assembly, we have now completed a major part of our team jigsaw.

Continuing, he noted that “Some might ask why it has taken us all this time to appoint Commissioners. My answer is simple, firstly, was the need to rationalize the ministries we met on ground, which numbered a whopping Thirty-One (31), with designations that ranged from the unnecessary to the absurd. I am glad to say that we have reduced this number to a functional Eighteen (18).

“We also needed to do a painstaking headhunt, if you like, of the myriad of Imo sons and daughters amply qualified to compose the cabinet. I am equally glad to say that, by and large, we have chosen well.

Ihedioha added that “Since our inauguration as a government, we have put in place other machineries of state through various high-level appointees including the Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants, Boards and Chief Executives of government agencies, interim management committees for Local Government councils, a host of ad-hoc committees and task teams etc. In other words, prior to today, we have been actively moulding the shape of our government.”

Imo Commissioners — New Imo State Commissioners taking oath of office recently

Addressing the new Commissioner directly, the Governor made it clear, saying “Having been chosen, from amongst millions of young, experienced Imolites and beyond, you must therefore be committed and fair in the discharge of your duties. You must be a team player and eschew corruption. If you underperform in the exercise of your duties, I will not hesitate to replace you. In this light, I have set up a Governance delivery unit which will set Key Performance Indicators that we will periodically measure you with, and guide you.”

The Imo State Commissioners List and their portfolios
1. Ministry of Justice- Ndukwe Nnawuchi

2. Ministry of Finance- Prof. Uche Uwaleke Ihitte Uboma

3. Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Entrepreneurship- Mr. John. Ekezie Okeahialam

4. Ministry of Agriculture & Natural Resources- Chief Emma Nworgu

5. Ministry of Health -Dr. Vin Udokwu

6. Ministry of Public Utilities -Hon. Chuma Nnaji