Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has charged newly sworn-in Commissioners to serve the collective interest of the State and her people than the interest of their respective ethnic nationalities.

Wike, who gave this charge today during the inauguration of nine new Commissioners at the Government House, Port Harcourt, advised those of them  who were interested in playing ethnic politics to tender their resignation.

“Your appointment was not on the premise of ethnicity. If you will play the ethnic card, please resign. Don’t use my administration to be an ethnic superstar. You are appointed to serve Rivers people, not a particular ethnic group.”

The nine new Commissioners are Eloka Taise-Amadi, Chieftaincy Affairs, Boma Iyaye, Sports, Diamete Herbert-Miller, Power, Tonye Oniyide, Culture and Tourism, Dr Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja, Water Resources, Dr Igbiks Tamuno, Environment, Emeka Onowu, Special Duties, Governor’s Office, Professor Chike Princewill, Health, and Ohia Prince, Youth Development.

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Wike had earlier appointed 13 Commissioners to man different Ministries in the State. The inauguration of this second batch bring the total number of Commissioners in the State to 22.

The State Chief Executive said that their appointment as commissioners was not a compensation for electoral contributions, but a call to diligently serve Rivers State.

“It is regrettable that some people see appointment as patronage or compensation for electoral contributions. That is not true. You are appointed to serve the state. Those of you who are returning are no longer learning the processes. You know what I expect.”

He explained to the new Commissioners that their membership of the Rivers State Executive Council was basically to enhance the development of the State, stressing that his administration remains committed to work as if this was his first term.

“Work with us to achieve. This is my second term and we are working as if it is our first term, because of my love for Rivers State. There are other governors that are no longer executing projects, because they are in their second term. They are politicking, while we are focused on the development of Rivers State. We are working because Rivers people gave us the mandate to work.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Governor Nyesom Wike, in a move to re-invigorate the Civil Service of Rivers State, had sworn-in 17 new Permanent Secretaries.

While inaugurating them, the Governor urged them to view their appointment as an opportunity to contribute to the rapid development of Rivers State.

Siminialayim Fubara, Monday Yiimonah, Honour Sirawoo, Kikpoye Philip, Nduye Briggs, Fanny Barango, Roland Whyte, Patience Omereji, Egerton Madume, and Hamilton Amadi.

Others are Ndidi Utchay, Emenike Dennis, Veronica Pius, Mieabiye Kalio, Uchechukwu Uriri, Dateme Apapa, Itong Awani, and Awaji-Imam Olormene.