(Chief Longers Anyanwu. Photo by Nation News)
The newly appointed Imo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Chief Longers Anyanwu, has vowed to put an end to file disappearances and poor documentation in the ministry, describing the practices as unacceptable and promising to restore discipline, accountability and efficiency.
Speaking at his first meeting with the ministry’s management officials at the state secretariat on Port Harcourt Road, Owerri, Anyanwu said he was committed to repositioning the ministry and reclaiming what he called its lost glory.
According to him, he came into the ministry with a mandate to redeem it, stressing that file disappearances and poor record-keeping would not be tolerated under his watch.
He said strict adherence to civil service rules would be enforced, warning that indiscipline, insubordination or a lukewarm attitude from any staff member would not be condoned.
The commissioner called on management and staff to rededicate themselves to duty, stressing that the ministry must deliver tangible results for the people of Imo State, and warned that excuses for poor performance would no longer be accepted.
Recalling that he had served as commissioner in the same ministry over 19 years ago, he said he expected workers to uphold professionalism and maintain proper records to preserve institutional memory and improve service delivery.
He also raised concerns that Imo State had not been adequately represented at numerous federal-level agricultural programmes, vowing to reverse this by ensuring the ministry actively participates in national agricultural initiatives going forward.
Responding on behalf of the management team, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Alexander Onwumere, assured the commissioner of the workers’ readiness to collaborate with him in achieving the ministry’s goals and advancing agricultural development in the state.
The meeting included presentations from heads of department on their respective activities and challenges, and was also attended by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Adapalm, Gideon Meffor.
In a vote of thanks, the Director of the Agriculture Department, Mr. Ebigwe Innocent, commended the commissioner for engaging directly with the workers and pledged the department’s support in helping to achieve the agricultural development objectives of Governor Hope Uzodimma’s administration.