By CHARLES IWUOHA

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has assembled and Inaugurated professionals as Chairmen, Secretaries and members of 6 Boards of various government establishments to drive reforms and accelerate development across critical sectors of the State.

The boards inaugurated are; Umuahia Capital Development Authority, Greater Aba Development Authority, Abia State Medicine and Commodities Management, Abia State SME Micro Finance Bank Ltd, Abia State Home Land Security, and Abia state Advisory Council on Electricity.

Inaugurating the boards on Thursday, at Government House, Umuahia, Governor Otti said that the eggheads were assembled to help the Government in achieving its goals.

He noted that the appointment of top professionals, including a retired military general to lead homeland security, former chairman of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for the Abia Electricity Advisory Council and foremost pharmacist for Abia Medicine and Commodities Management among others were all intentionally done.

Governor Otti thanked the appointees for accepting to serve, noting that many of them are accomplished Nigerians, including non-Abians, drawn based on merit and competence.

He stated that his administration values inclusivity and merit-based appointments over ethnicity and mediocrity.

"Some of the people we inaugurated are not from Abia State. Some of them are not even from the South East and that is what our administration is all about.

"We don't discriminate. We seek value wherever we can find it. if you live here, if you have something to contribute, we welcome you with open arms," Gov. Otti stated.

" So, we have assembled these eggheads to help us in executing this transaction so that our people can have access to quality services," Gov. Otti stated.

He extolled the leadership of the Greater Aba Development Authority , Umuahia Capital Development Authority, and Microfinance Bank, urging them to deliver on their mandates.

This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by Otti's Chief press Secretary, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha and made available to journalists in Umuahia.

For the Abia State Advisory Council on Electricity, Gov. Otti emphasised that power is key to the State’s industrialisation drive, informing the audience that a deal is nearing conclusion to buy over the Umuahia ring fenced of the EEDC to provide power to the remaining eight LGAs not covered by the Geometric power.

"Electricity is so critical here because everything we are doing, particularly in the area of industrialization, depends on electricity.

"And luckily, in April, we were able to sign the electricity bill into an act. And that has given us the impetus to generate, distribute, transmit and regulate electricity within the State. So, we have no excuses anymore.

"In the next few months, we should be concluding a transaction with EEDC. Where we will pull the remaining eight local Governments of the State out of EEDC and have them as an Island, just like Aba Island," Governor Otti maintained.

The State Chief Executive expressed the hope that the appointees would perform creditably giving their antecedents.

Responding on behalf of Chairmen and members of the different boards, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities and Co-Chair of Abia State Advisory Council on Electricity, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday expressed gratitude to the Governor for the opportunity to serve, describing the assignment as a privilege and call to duty.

He assured that their diverse expertise and experience would be brought to bear in advancing the goals of the Government in their different boards.

The Board of homeland security is chaired by a retired military General, Brigadier General N.V.U Nnorom (Rtd), with 5 other members, the Board of the Abia state Electricity Advisory Council has a former Chairman of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Dr. Sam Amadi as its Chairman with 6 of members while the Board of the Abia State SME Micro-finance Bank is headed by a seasoned Banker, Mr. Friday Eluwa with 5 other members.

The rest are, the Abia State Medicines and Commodities Management Agency Board with Chief Victor Amuta as Chairman with 11 other members, the Greater Aba Development Authority has Ide John Udeagbala as Chairman with 4 others whereas, the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA) Board has Mr. Emeka Uwakolam as Chairman with 4 others.

Update news