Speaking with The Guardian in Lagos yesterday, the Special Assistant on Media to the governor, Chinedu Offor, said that what people referred to as a bloated cabinet was a group of volunteers who agreed to wok for the government and were formed into various committees. “It is unfortunate that people simply saw the list of the cabinet members and without asking questions went to the press and started to cry bloated cabinet,” he said.

He said Imo State had the smallest cabinet where the deputy governor was also acting as Commissioner for Works. “People are volunteering to work for the state but people muddled up the numbers of those that were working on volunteer basis with those on government payroll,” he said.

He added: “These people are not government appointees. Their names are just on the list to help the government. They are not government employees neither are they on payroll. They are people who came out to say they love the government and wanted to contribute their quotas to the government of Governor Okorocha.

Immediately the committees are done with their various assignments, they will be dissolved. Before, the jobs of the committees were given to consultants and contractors but they are being done free by the committees.”

houvest:

And why should people not be encouraged to think outside the box just because nobody else has tried to do so? SMH. Innovations must be encouraged. If it works, it should be fine-tuned and adopted, If not it is thrown away. Why are folks so scared of RAO's moves? Better Fasten your seatbelt. You ain't seen nothing yet.

olawalebab:

This is how it works, they are not entitle to salary but ALLOWANCE, which at time is more than a Perm Sec earn. I CAN LAUGH

olawalebab:

this is the fact of the matter, check the payroll of the Aides, that is what is always there.