Imo; Cabinet Reshuffle Imminent, As Commissioners Switch Portfolios

A likely move to turn around the fortunes of Imo State is in the offing as plans to reshuffle the cabinet are under way.

Developments at the executive council level showing that there could be either a major cabinet change or reshuffle emerged early this week when two serving commissioners switched portfolios.

Trumpeta learnt that Hon Ernest Ibejiako, a former House of Assembly member who represented Owerri Municipal State Assembly and Owerri Federal Constituency in the House of Reps, and served as Commissioner in charge of Ministry of Industry, Mines and Solid Minerals had been reassigned to oversee that of Ministry of Tourism while the commissioner in charge of the Tourism Ministry, Barr Jerry Egemba now for Industry, Mines and Solid Minerals.

These developments have heightened reports of imminent change of guards in the ministries likely going to give room to cabinet reshuffle.

The new position in the state executive council, may not be unconnected to a recent motion moved by a member of the House of Assembly, Hon Clinton Amadi, Member Rep Owerri Municipal State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly who had asked the Governor to remove commissioners said to be redundant and not doing anything in office. Trumpeta had in a previous edition of the newspaper reported about the motion asking for the sacking of redundant appointees.

The action of this week which the led to the switching of positions may be the first sign of the major sweep likely to come.

Trumpeta however notes that since Governor Hope Uzodimma came on for second term and about to complete second year in office, it was yet to embark on sweeping changes at the executive council level as Commissioners and appointees have retained their positions.