By NewsCritic Reporters
Although there was no official statement announcing the suspension of the Commissioner Ministry of Health Abia State, Dr Ngozi Okoronkwo, however, the Abia State political ecosystem is buzzing with the rumour of the suspension of the Health Commissioner by Governor Alex Otti for sundry offences bordering on alleged official malfeasance in office.
Mrs Ngozi Okorokwo’s suspension is coming barely 48 hours after the sacking of the acting Principal of Okezie Ikpeazu School of Midwifery Abiriba, following the protest by students of the institution accusing the Principal of corruption and negligence of duty.
The rumour of the suspension of Mrs Okoronkwo started circulating on Monday 10th June, 2024 after the weekly Abia State Executive Council Meeting presided over by Gov Alex Otti. NewsCritic online was informed by sources privy to the development at the Exco meeting that the Commissioner’s suspension was announced at the Exco meeting, however, there was no further information on whether it was an official government policy not to make her suspension public for now.
Sources also informed this reporter that the suspended Commissioner for Health did not attend the Exco meeting yesterday Monday June 10, an indication that she might have been communicated of her suspension from office, a reason why she was absent.
NewsCritic online investigations revealed that Mrs Okoronkwo, who is one of the technocrats that populate Gov Otti’s administration, may have been axed over allegation of misconduct and abandoning her duties in preference for her business interests.
Unconfirmed sources said that the former United State Agency for International Development, USAID, and World Health Organisation consultant, allegedly registered a company which she fronts and uses in executing procurement contracts in the state.
“In fact, I can tell you that she has been involved in many business scandals…one of which is that she is using a company she registered to be doing procurement jobs and abandoning her duties as commissioner, said a close source.
Again, it was gathered that the newly retrofitted Abia State Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, which she supervised didn’t actually meet the Gov Otti’s expectations, likewise the job for the renovation of some of the General Hospitals in Abia State which she is behind.
Sources said she is facing issues that have to do with transparency and accountability in the exercise of her duties as Commissioner Ministry of Health.
NewsCritic reports that Mrs Okoronkwo was at the forefront of the recent medical mission embarked upon by Abia doctors in the US, and observers are wondering the kind of impression her actions could create before the diaspora group.
It could not be immediately ascertained whether she will be recalled, but it was gathered that her suspension is to give way for thorough investigation into the activities of her ministry.