Abia State Governor has disclosed the findings of a committee set up by his administration to investigate the conduct of former Commissioner for Health, Dr Ngozi Okoronkwo who was suspended but later resigned her appointment.
The Governor, who spoke to Abia people during his monthly live Radio and TV programm at Government House, Umuahia, on Friday, said that the report did not indict the former commissioner of stealing or mismanaging public funds, as may have been rumoured by some members of the public.
Otti, however, said that there were some procedures that were allegedly abused by the former commissioner, quoting the committee’s report.
“Going through the report, there was no financial impropriety established but there were conducts that were not consistent with laid down policies. But since she offered to resign, the government decided to accept her resignation.
“I want to repeat that money was not stolen, money was not mismanaged but then, there were procedures that were abused and we didn’t think that was enough, rather a reprimand, a caution or a warning but she chose to throw in the trowel and we had to accept her resignation,” he said.
Reacting to the complaints that salaries of some Abia workers were slashed, the Governor described the development as criminal act but advised those with the complaints to approach the Commissioner for Information or the Accountant General of the state with evidences of their claims for investigation.
On security, Otti commended the efforts of security agencies in the state, maintaining that security had improved.
The governor, who announced that retirement age of nurses in the state will be increased from 60 to 65 years from next week, also explained that his administration would no longer carry out transfer of many civil servants to schools to serve as teachers as earlier planned.
House Committee clears former health commissioner of stealing Abia money
