Staff of the Abia State Ministry of Health, Umuahia, have hailed the suspension of the Commissioner for Health, Ngozi Okoronkwo, by Governor Alex Otti on Tuesday.
The suspension of the commissioner, according to them, was a good step by the governor, which also showed that he truly listens to the voice of the Abia people.
Okoronkwo was suspended over allegations of gross misconduct leveled against her.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Ifeyinwa Kalu, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Ngozi Azodo, were directed by the state government to run the affairs of the Ministry pending the outcome of the investigations on Okoronkwo.
A visit to the Abia State Ministry of Health, Abia State Secretariat, on Tuesday showed that some civil servants working in the Ministry were happy with the Commissioner’s suspension.
The staff were seen smiling and discussing the development in hushed tones, exchanging handshakes, and saying that the governor took the right decision.
Some workers who pleaded anonymity for fear of being victimized claimed that their suspended commissioner was arrogant and unfriendly in her interactions with workers.
A staff member of the Health Management Board (HMB) who simply identified himself as “Comrade” called on the Governor to use the opportunity of the Commissioner’s investigation to look into some complaints by staff of the HMB.
“We salute the decision of the Governor to suspend the Commissioner. Governor Alex Otti has further earned our support and respect for his zero tolerance for corruption. If the Commissioner is found innocent, let her be recalled, but if the allegations are proven true, let our Governor appoint a new, worker-friendly Commissioner,” Comrade said.
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However, the Abia State government has said that the commissioner would undergo investigations for gross misconduct leveled against her but explained that she is still presumed innocent until the allegations are proven true by the outcome of the investigations.
