Gov Imoke Suspends Seven Commissioners For Failing To Attend Event

About 20 cabinet members in Cross River State, were yesterday, suspended indefinitely  by Governor Liyel Imoke, for failure to attend an important public function.

This is contained in a statement signed Monday by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Michael Aniah.

According to the statement, the State Governor approved the suspension of seven commissioners and 13 special advisers, for failure to attend the World’s AIDS Day Anniversary Walk on Sunday.

The the  four-Kilometre World AIDS Day walk, which also herald the flag-off of the  state’s Annual Calabar Festival on December 1, was attended by Imoke and some cabinet members .

According to the statement the affected officials included the Commissioner for Justice, Mr Attah Ochinke; Commissioner for Finance,  Etim Takis Caifas; Commissioner for Women, Mrs Edak Iwuchukwu; and the Commissioner for Social Welfare, Mrs Patricia Endeley.

The Commissioner for Environment, Dr Sandy Onor, Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr James Aniyom and Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr Elemi Etowa,  were also affected.

Others are the Special Adviser on Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr  Eja Dons Eseghe; Special Adviser on Tourism, Mr Wilfred  Usani, Special Adviser on Religious Affairs; Eyo Okpo Ene; Special  Adviser on Special Duties;  Mr Fabian Okpa.

The Special Adviser Forestry and Biodiversity, Ntufam Gabe Odu-Oji; Special Adviser on Investment, Dr Gerald Adah; Special  Adviser, Political and Legislative Matters, Mr Fred Osim; Special  Adviser Legal, Mr Mark Obi, were also affected.

Others are Special Adviser, NGO, Mrs. Margaret Johnson Ebokpo, Special Adviser on ICT, Mr Odo Effiong; and Special Adviser on Mineral Resources; Mr Effiong Bassey.

Others are the Special Adviser Strategy and Planning, Professor Idem Temple and Special Adviser on Debt Management, Mrs Francisca  Nkoyo Effiong.

The announcement directed the affected cabinet members to hand over to their permanent secretaries or the most senior officers in  their respective Ministries and Departments and Agencies