The Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi has said that there is no faceoff between him and the Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha.
He said that his relationship with Okorocha was cordial, adding that this was proven by the latter awarding him the Grand Commander of Imo.
According to NAN, Umahi stated this in Abakaliki yesterday when he took journalists on his performances in four years and projections for his second tenure.
There had been feelings of a strained relationship between both South Eastern governors over the past four years.
The governor noted that contrary to insinuations of a strained relationship between them, his relationship with the outgoing Imo governor is cordial.
“Okorocha is our leader, a great son of Igboland and we are in very good terms,” he said.
Umahi also noted that he would support the re-election of Mr Francis Nwifuru as the Speaker of the state House of Assembly if the members support his re-election.
“This Speaker is God-sent to the state as people should not pry into such matter because it concerns another arm of government.
“The House members will take care of themselves as the Speaker has worked so hard to emerge.
“It will be in the best interest of the House that he emerges because he not only attracts things to it but is very knowledgeable in legislative matters,” he said.
Umahi noted that the Permanent Secretaries designate who perform poorly within two months in office would be retired from the state civil service, while those who perform creditably will be retained.
“The opposition petitioned me before the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) for not appointing permanent secretaries and I saw it as a folly.
“We have appointed 21 new permanent secretaries to complement the existing five and trained them for 10 days on physical fitness, morals and ways of doing business among other areas,” he said.
He noted that the permanent secretaries were selected from grade level 14 and above with emphasis on those who have from four years to stay in the civil service.
“I, however, offered a waiver to the Accountant General of the state and the Director of Works in the Ministry of Works who have one year in service because their experience is still needed,” he said.
Comments