Imoke suspends seven Cross River commissioners, 13 Special Advisers for absenteeism

The appointees missed the state’s World’s AIDS Day.

The Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke, on Monday wielded the big stick, sending seven Commissioners and 13 Special Advisers on indefinite suspension for absenteeism.

The Secretary to the State Government, Michael Aniah, said the governor was irked over the failure of the officials to attend the state’s World’s AIDS Day anniversary walk on Sunday.

The event, which featured a commemorative four-kilometre World AIDS Day walk, was to also mark the kick-off of the state’s Annual Calabar Festival, with the governors and the other cabinet members expected in attendance.

Mr. Aniah listed the affected officials as the Commissioner for Justice, Attah Ochinke; the Commissioner for Finance, Etiim Caifas; the Commissioner for Women Addairs, Edak Iwuchukwu; and the Commissioner for Social Welfare, Patricia Endeley.

Others include the Commissioner for Environment, Sandy Onor; the Commissioner for Agriculture, James Aniyom; and the Commissioner for Water Resources, Elemi Etowa.

The Special Advisers affected included those on Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Eja Eseghe; Tourism, Wilfred Usani; Religious Affairs, Eyo Ene; Special Duties; Fabian Okpo; Forestry and Biodiversity, Gabe Odu-Oji; Investment, Gerald Adah; Political and Legislative Matters, Fred Osim;  and Legal, Mark Obi,

Also affected were the Special Adviser, NGO, Margaret Ebokp; Special Adviser on ICT, Odo Effiong; Special Adviser on Mineral Resources, Effiong Bassey; the Adviser, Strategy and Planning, Idem Temple; and the Special Adviser on Debt Management, Francisca Effiong.

The SSG directed the affected officials to hand over to their Permanent Secretaries or the most senior officers in their respective Ministries and Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

It was not clear whether the suspension also entailed loss of financial benefits and other entitlements.

NAN