In a deliberate move to re-energise and build a more formidable team, the Cross River State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has announced a minor cabinet reshuffle.
As part of the changes, the former Commissioner for Transportation, Pastor Ekpenyong Ene Cobham, has been redeployed as the new Commissioner for Information.
The Governor made the pronouncement on Monday during an emergency State Executive Council meeting, shortly after swearing in two newly appointed Executive Council members.
Those inaugurated into the cabinet include Mr Ayuk Obi Afor, who assumes office as Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, and Mr Dodeye Ikpi Arikpo, who takes charge as Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations.
Governor Otu explained that the minor shake-up was aimed at repositioning the council for optimal service delivery, in line with his administration's people-centric mantra.
In other deployments, Hon. Osogi Moses John moves from the Ministry of Environment to the Ministry of Water Resources, while Chief Anom Emmanuel Moses leaves the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development to take over Human Capital Development.
Dr Nku Ekpang Erasmus Ekpang, formerly of the Ministry of Information, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Lands.
Similarly, Barr. Mensah Bassey Offiong, who previously oversaw Water Resources, now takes charge of Environment. Ekpenyong Francis Edet, the former Commissioner for Lands, takes over Livestock and Fisheries Development, while Kingsley N. Egumi exits Human Capital Development to assume duty at the Ministry of Transportation.
The Governor urged all appointees to rededicate themselves to the service of the people and ensure that the renewed mandate translates into tangible dividends of democracy for Cross Riverians.
By Nakanda Iyadim
