The Anambra House of Assembly’s deputy speaker, Pius Okoye, has said that all 18 commissioner nominees submitted by Governor Charles Soludo were screened and confirmed based on merit, competence, and suitability rather than sentiment.

Mr Okoye, who is the House Committee chairman on Screening and Election matters, said on Sunday in Awka that the nominees were “highly qualified and possessed the expertise required for their respective ministries”.

The deputy speaker added, “The nominee’s ideas about governance and vision to reposition the women’s affairs ministry earned her the confirmation.

”The nominees can be described as egg heads in their respective endeavours as they all scaled through the process successfully.”

The two-day screening, he said, was very taxing.

He said that the 13 original screening committee members were drawn across political party divides, while eight other members were co-opted to ensure a seamless process.

”The report of the screening exercise will be made open to the public in a timely manner,” he said.

(NAN)