By Musa Yaro, Calabar
Barely four months to the expiration of his tenure, Cross River state governor, Professor Ben Ayade on Tuesday swore in 13 commissioners, including one Adamu Uba Musa.
The new commissioners replaced those who resigned to seek elective positions or following the governor’s defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC).
Ayade charged the new commissioners to work assiduously in ensuring that his tenure finishes strong by May 29 this year.
“Your coming on board is not by accident; you have been carefully selected based on your integrity and competence to bring your wealth of experiences to bear on our administration.
“I therefore charge you to work assiduously to ensure that we finish strong as an administration. Your jobs are all cut out for you; I expect that you make our dear state proud.”
Responding on behalf of the new commissioners, Dr. Janet Ekpenyong who now replaces the APC National Women Leader as Commissioner for Health assured that “we will work in line with your vision and plan for the state.”
She applauded the governor for finding her and the entire team worthy to join in changing and transforming the state for good.
Among those sworn in and their portfolios include, Okama Inyang (Infrastructure), Janet Nsing (Climate change), Mrs. Ekwele Agube (Sustainable Development), Wogor Umari (Homeland Security) and Patrick Ebam (Special Duties).
Others are Prince Williams Awara (Social Housing), Goddy Ettah (Finance), Dr. Hippolytus Lukpata (Water Resources), Getrude Njah (Women Affairs), Arikpo Edet (Science and technology), Adamu Uba Musa (Inter-Governmental Affairs) and Ekpenyong Effiom Iso (Culture and Tourism).
A former commissioner, Eric Anderson who was in charge of Culture and Tourism was redeployed to the Ministry of Information and communication while his counterpart, Oliver Orok who headed sustainable development ministry has been moved to Agriculture and Natural Resources ministry.
