Akwa Ibom State governor, Umo Éno, has warned the newly appointed Personal Assistants to live within their ward areas or risk being sacked.
He said he would not hesitate to sack any of them found not living in his ward, adding that as they were appointed, so would they be disappointed.
The governor gave the warning on Tuesday in Uyo, the state capital, while inaugurating the 368 PAs in the state
Éno stated, “Follow my footsteps of respect to everyone and try to unite the people in your wards. Now that you have been appointed, you are the personal assistants to the governor. So, your loyalty is just to the governor.
“We have promised to return power to the people in line with our party mantra, ‘power to the people,’ and this really means power to the people at the grassroots. That’s what we are trying to do.
“We insisted that everyone that has been picked will live within their wards. And I hope this is the true situation. But let me warn you that if there is any time we find out that you are not living in your ward, we will not hesitate to remove you. We want people who will give us reports on the ground in their various wards.
“So, if you take this appointment and we later find out that you are in Uyo, or you are not living within your own ward, note that the same way that we appointed you today, we will disappoint you tomorrow because the hands that has appointed can also disappoint.”
He tasked the PAs to utilise their positions as ambassadors of government to propagate the A.R.I.S.E. agenda blueprint at the grassroots and ensure peace and unity in their respective communities.
To ensure ease of coordination and orderliness in the structure of communication and work delivery, the governor announced the creation of a two-step liaison structure to interface between the 368 PAs and his office.
In view of this, Eno appointed a political adviser, Dr. Godwin Ntukudeh, and three honorary advisers from the three senatorial districts of the state.
The other appointees include Udo Akpan (Honourary Special Adviser, Political) for the Ikot Ekpene senatorial district, Bishop Sam Akpan (Eket senatorial district) and Dr. Henry Archibong (Uyo senatorial district).
He said, “368 people reporting to me would be very difficult. There are structures that we are going to put in place that would help galvanise you all and help us to work together.”
The appointments, he clarified, have no interference with the duties of the Bureau of Political and Legislative Affairs.
While cautioning the new appointees against the abuse of office and display of dishonest tendencies that are inimical to the unity of the party and the society at large, he urged them to adopt a disposition of humility to mend fences, accommodate various interests and show respect to leadership across levels.
He appealed to others qualified but not yet appointed persons to be patient as other opportunities will keep unfolding in due course.