The Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, on Friday maintained that his administration has zero tolerance for ethnic politics, sectionalism and corruption.

Okowa stated this while swearing in 12 new commissioners and five Special Advisers, vowing that it would not be business as usual in the running of government activities.

He urged the new appointees to be honest, diligent and responsible in the discharge of their duties.

The governor called on them to join him in the fight against corruption to retain the implicit confidence and trust the people reposed on them.

He stressed that corruption denied the state of valuable resources that could have been used for infrastructural development, improvement of the educational system, boost healthcare system and take care of the poor and needy.

According to Okowa, corruption grew worse anywhere it was allowed to fester, leading to prohibitive cost of doing business.

He, therefore, sought the support and partnership of public office holders to lead the fight against the evil in their respective offices, adding that it was the only way to retain the trust and confidence the people bestowed upon them.

In his resolve to curb wastefulness in government, the governor directed all ministries, departments and agencies in the state not to use government funds to place adverts for him as he would clock 56 on July 8, 2015.
He also urged friends and well-wishers who would do same to channel such funds to the empowerment of less privileged in their communities.

He charged the appointees to key into the SMART agenda of his administration, especially the job creation programmes, stressing that “it is incumbent on you to make the attainment of these lofty goals in the SMART agenda your watchword, they must be the focal point around which all your decisions and actions will revolve.”

Responding on behalf of others, Mrs. Mary Iyasere, thanked Okowa for their appointment and assured him of their readiness to join him in ensuring prosperity for Deltans, check wastages and corruption.

Those sworn in included: Mrs Mary Iyasere (Commerce and Industry), John Nani (Environment), Kingsley Emu (Economic Planning), James Augoye (Works), Vincent Uduaghan (Transport), Newworld Safugha (Energy), and Joseph Ogeh (Housing).

Others are Fidelis Tilije (Water Resources Development), Rev. Mrs. Omashola Williams (Women Affairs), Austin Chikezie (Agriculture and Natural Resources), Joyce Overah (Science and Technology) and Chiedu Ebie (Basic and Secondary Education).

Those sworn in as Special Advisers are Emmanuel Ogidi (Rural Development and Peace Building), Emmanuel Aguariavwodo (Infrastructure and Housing Development), Martins Okonta (Land Resources and Legislative Matters), Pascal Adigwe (National Assembly Matters and Inter-governmental Liaison) and Mike Okeme (Labour Relations).
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