From Ahmad Ibrahim, Lokoja
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has sworn in the newly appointed commissioners in the state, charging them to always make themselves accessible to the people, as well as be transparent in all their dealings.
The Governor was speaking yesterday afternoon during the swearing in ceremony of the members of the newly appointed cabinet at the Government House in Lokoja.
The swearing in of the commissioners was coming barely 48 hours after the governor took oath of office for a new dispensation.
The governor equally announced the appointment of 30 new Special Advisers and their portfolios.
He told the 17 newly appointed commissioners that human capital development as one of the main thematic areas of the new direction administration must be religiously implemented, to ensure better service delivery.
“Every commissioner as well as all Ministries, Departments and Agencies must operate an open door policy and make themselves available to the people, because human capital development would form the nucleus of this administration”.
The governor also warned the newly appointed commissioners not ruin its hard earned reputation on fiscal accountability with corrupt practices whilst in office, saying anyone who violates the law would be severely dealt with.
“The anti-corruption agencies have scrutinized us based on petitions written by various people who are not happy with the way we carry out our reforms, and they have found us clean ,don’t tarnish our reputation with corrupt practices, anyone found wanting will not be speared “ he stressed.
He further pointed out that the commissioners were chosen based on their personal merit and those that returned after serving during first term did so based on their performance, urging them to continue to be diligent and upright in all their actions.
The governor therefore stressed the need for the new appointees to reciprocate the gesture by justifying the confidence reposed by the people of the state, who gave the administration another mandate to continue in office.
