… As governor threatens to sack commissioners
From Emmanuel Uzor, Abakaliki
There is uncertainty hovering around some commissioners in Governor Dave Umahi’s cabinet following a recent ultimatum and query issued to the Commissioner for Water Resources, Francis Orji.
Yesterday, Umahi gave Orji and staff of his ministry only two weeks to get water running in Abakaliki or be relieved of his job.
Umahi gave the ultimatum at a meeting in his office with senior staff of the ministry. The governor accused workers of sabotaging his administration’s efforts at ensuring that water is accessible to residents of the state.
“The water issue is uppermost in my mind. It was one of the projects I started on assumption of office even before I formed my cabinet. And I felt that when I formed my cabinet, the work’s momentum would be sustained.
“I have made all kinds of efforts and interventions with the deputy governor, to see how we can provide water to the people. But, to no avail.
I refuse to be frustrated and I cannot be frustrated. Projects in road construction, power, and environment, all to make Abakaliki a befitting capital city are going on according to plan. But water is not moving.
“Any time I move around, I see our children on wheelbarrow looking for water. We have water in Ezillo and Oferekpa water schemes and still, no clear direction. And there is no hope that we would get water under you people.
“I, therefore, give you two weeks to remedy the situation or you will lose your jobs. I don’t care how you do it and I want the media to note this and remind me. I want to tell you that I am aware of the in-fighting, sabotage and fraud going on in the ministry and if, in two weeks time, our people don’t have water to my satisfaction something will happen in the Ministry of Water Resources.”