From Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Benue State Governor Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia on Wednesday swear-in 17 commissioner’s and 23 special advisers out of the 25 earlier approved by the Benue Assembly with a promise to swear-in the remaining two at a later date.
No reasons were given on why the development, but indications were rife that governor Alia only did things differently as he equally deviated from a long practiced tradition of previous administrations to assign portfolios at a late date by announcing portfolios to commissioner’s after performing the inauguration same day at government house.
He posted Mrs Joyce Luga as commissioner in charge of Ministry of Cooperatives, Urban and Rural Development while Mr Mathew Omada, assigned commissioner for the newly created Ministry of Power and Transport.
The governor also announced the posting of Dr Yanmar Ortese to Ministry of Health and Human Services,Rev. Frederick Ikyaan PhD- Ministry of Education and Knowledge Development, Ogu Odu to take charge of Ministry of Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Kwaghgba Amande- ICT and Digital Economy, Mathew Abo, assigned commissioner Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism with Tiza Imojime to hold sway as commissioner in charge of Works and Housing respectively.
Governor Alia also assigned Mr Aondowase Kunde as commissioner in charge of the new Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management,Prof Moses Ogbaji, Agriculture,Barr Martin Shaager,Land, Survey and Solid Minerals, Michael Oglegba, Finance, Budget and Economic Planning,Ann Itodo, Women Affairs and Social Development with Barr Fidelis Mnyim, assigned to the Ministry of Justice as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order.
The governor equally disclosed that Mr Terkimbi Ikyange would be commissioner in charge of Youths, Sports and Creativity while Mr Nick Eworo is to serve as commissioner for Science and Technology and Innovation with Manasseh Orpin heading Ministry for Commerce and Industry respectively.
Governor Alia also revealed to the appointee’s during the occasion that a retreat to brush them up on what the administration required of them have been put together to commence next week, adding that Advisers will be assigned portfolios after the exercise and urged the new appointees to settle down quickly at their various places of assignment and hit the ground running to meet expectations of Benue people.
