In the minor cabinet reshuffle, Governor Udom Emmanuel has dropped two Commissioners, one Special Adviser and re-assigned a Commissioner.
Those dropped were Uwemedimo Nwoko, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice and Arc. Ime Ekpo, Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources and Mrs Ekemini Umoh of Bureau of Rural Development and Cooperatives.
In their places, Uko Essien Udom is the new Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice while Pastor Umo Bassey Eno is the new Commissioner for Lands & Water Resources.
But, Mrs. Enobong Udemeabasi Mbobo formerly of Ministry of Education has been re-deployed to the newly created Ministry of Rural Development & Cooperatives while Mrs. Idongesit Iboro Etiebet who was Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Education is now the Commissioner for Education.
Dr. John James Etim is the Commissioner for the newly created Power and Petroleum Development.
A total of 17 Commissioners and one Special Adviser have been retained. These are Mr. Akan Okon, Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport; Sir Monday Ebong Uko, Youth & Sport; and Mr. Nsikan Linus Nkan, Finance.
Others include Rt. Hon. Okpolupm Ikpong Etteh – Special Duties; Sir Charles Udoh – Environment; Hon. Orman Esin- Culture and Tourism; and Dr. Glory Edet – Agriculture.
The rest: Prince Ukpong Akpabio- Trade and Investment; Rt. Hon. Uno Etim Uno – Transport and Solid Minerals; Otuekong Raphael Bassey – Housing; Pastor ( Hon ) Sunday Ekanem Ibuot – Labour and Manpower Planning and Prof. Eno James Ibanga- Works and Fire Service.
Others are Hon. Frank Archibong- Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs; Prof. Augustine Vincent Umoh – Health; Dr. Ini Adiakpan- Women Affairs and Social Welfare; and Comrade Ini Ememobong Essien, Esq- Information & Strategy.
Dr. Imoh Moffat is the Commissioner for Science and Technology; while Elder (Hon.) Amanam Nkanga is a special adviser for Bureau of Political and Social Re-orientation
Already, Governor Emmanuel had sworn the four new Commissioners into office at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, admonishing them to be change agents in order to move the state forward.
Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, Secretary to State Government who signed the press release of Monday, January 4, said the governor has approved the allocation of ministerial portfolios.
“On behalf of the government and the good people of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency the Governor is thankful to the immediate past members of the State Executive Council for their services to the state and wishes them well in their future endeavours,” Ekuwem added.
Meanwhile, the state government has created Ministry of Power and Petroleum Development in the state.
