Why I’m yet to form my cabinet – Obaseki

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, yesterday gave reasons why he was yet to appoint commissioners and special advisers to help in the governance of the state, three months after assuming office.

He said he needed time to sanitise the ministries and in the process set up a template that would enable the incoming commissioners, when appointed, to function appropriately.

The governor spoke when members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Edo State council, led by its Chairman, Sir. Rowland Osakwe and Secretary, Alemma Ozioruva Aliu, paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Benin.

Obaseki said he would send the list of the commissioner- nominees to the House of Assembly for confirmation within the next few weeks, asserting that anyone who failed to perform according to expectation when appointed would be dropped immediately.

He said: “A lot has been said about me not appointing commissioners and so many other issues.

But the truth is that I decided to run for governorship at this time when things are so difficult because I believe that I can impact on the lives of our people.

I have looked at the situation and we must stop wastages in areas where that were happening and manage our resources in a manner that it will benefit the people.”

“In doing that, we needed to plan and say this is what we want in each of the ministries so that when a commissioner comes in, he will work according to the plans on ground.

We are going to have a Government House in the 18 local government areas and that is why we are appointing special assistants in the 192 wards of the state so that every part of Edo State will feel the impact of government.

“And that is why we are holding workshops in different sectors of the economy and the reports of these workshops will be implemented.”