Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi has cautioned against incessant congratulatory visits to elected and appointed government functionaries.

Mr Nwifuru spoke on Tuesday while swearing in the new secretary to the state government (SSG), Grace Umezurike.

The governor, who also swore in Emmanuel Echiegu as his new Chief of Staff, said the government activities would peak after the commissioners’ inauguration.

“We will hit the ground running and stop visitations which we have used the past two weeks to do,” Mr Nwifuru declared. “It is time to face governance as time waits for no one.”

He said his government could deliver good governance, noting that it paid attention to women in fulfilling its campaign promises.

“I assure the new SSG of my cooperation as women have become the fulcrum of my administration.

“This is unusual, but it is a good development for the state,” he said.

Mr Nwifuru acknowledged that he had surprised many people with the mode of his appointments but urged for more patience.

“The people who did not get the appointments they sought should continue their earnest prayers as they can still be appointed,” he said.

The governor disclosed that he would swear in commissioners of his administration on June 20.

The governor also swore in several aides, including Mathias Adum as his principal secretary and Timothy Nwachi as the deputy chief of staff.

(NAN)