Akwa Ibom State governor Mr Udom Emmanuel in his determined effort to carry out his agenda and reposition the machinery of government in the state has appointed key aides to fill key positions in his administration.

The governor had said during his inaugural speech that the running of the state would not be business as usual and in line with his promise of imbibing the spirit of transparency and accountability in governance; which would invariably check corrupt practices, he has made himself, the Chairman of the Finance and General Purposes Committee (FGPC). The committee is the body that sees to the financial obligations of the state and in the past two administrations, it used to be manned by the Secretary to the State Government.

The Chief of Staff to the immediate past Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, Mr Etekamba Umoren is the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG). Pastor Bassey Umoh was appointed Permanent Secretary, Governor’s Office. Until his appointment, he was Auditor-General of Local Government.

Mr Ekerete Udoh, the immediate past Director of Media and Publicity
Udom/Moses Campaign Organization was appointed Senior Special Assistant (Media) and Chief Press Secretary to the governor. Mr. Aniekpeno Mkpanang, Permanent Secretary (Protocol) in the immediate past government is the new Permanent Secretary, Special Services Department, (SSD). Mr Edmond Uffang was appointed Protocol Chief. Pastor Daniel Akwatang was appointed the Special Assistant to the Executive Governor on Religious Affairs.

However, political watchers are calling on the governor not to delay the appointment of Chief of Staff as insinuation is making the rounds that he may be towing the line of his predecessor, who after sacking his Chief of Staff during his first tenure did not have one until, when the current SSG retired as Permanent Secretary and the governor made him Chief of Staff.