By Our Correspondent
There are indications that the list of Commissioners and other members that will constitute the new Cross River State Executive Council, may be out later in the week or early next week.
This is because the State Governor, Senator Ben Ayade has set up a committee to oversee the selection process.
A statement from the Chief Press Secretary and Special Assistant to Governor Ayade on Media, Mr. Christian Ita, reveal that the committee Chaired by Mr. Paul Erokoro, SAN, also has prominent woman leader and politician, Mrs. Grace Ekanem and Chief of Staff to the governor, Mr. Martin Orim as members.
The statement further adds that, nominees for appointments as Commissioners in Cross River State are to undergo mandatory integrity and aptitude test.
Ita, said the nominees would have to undergo the aptitude test before their names would be forwarded to the state House of Assembly for confirmation.
The statement disclosed that appointment of chairmen and members of boards, agencies and parastatals and even special advisers would follow the same routine.
“His Excellency, Senator Professor Ben Ayade wants all nominees for appointments as Commissioners to undergo integrity test. Additionally, the nominees would also write an aptitude test,” the statement added.
According to the statement, the Governor believes that every would-be appointee in the state must be subjected to ethical measurement to ascertain whether or not they can function in the new order, where accountability and transparency are the watchwords.
It will be recalled that the Speaker, Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon. John Gaul Lebo had said last week that nominees for commissioners that will be sent to the House will undergo an aptitude test organized by the Assembly as part of the process to ensure that those who will emerge will be sound and able to lead.
The Speaker said this while playing host to a delegation from the State wing of National Association of Parent Teachers Association (NAPTAN) in his office.