Wike sacks works commissioner

Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers state, has sacked Harrison Iheanyichukwu, the state commissioner for works.

The development comes a little over a year after Iheanyichukwu took over from Kevin Wachukwu, who was also sacked.

Simeon Nwakaudu, the governor’s special assistant on electronic media, confirmed Iheanyichukwu’s sack in a statement on Thursday.

Nwakaudu said the sack takes immediate effect.

Iheanyichukwu was directed to hand over to the permanent secretary in the ministry, while no reason was given for the action.

Since he took office in May 2015, Wike has sacked many members of his cabinet.

In February, he fired Theophilus Ndagene, the commissioner for health.

Ndagene’s removal preceded that of Wachuku, who the governor accused Wachuku of living below expectation.

“I have a covenant with the people of Rivers state to develop this state. And anybody who is going to work with me must work at my speed and not at your own speed,” he had said while announcing the ex-commissioner’s sack.

“Nobody should come and drag me back like the former commissioner. Wachukwu is intelligent, but he could not meet up with the pace of work at the ministry.”

Five months after making that utterance, Wike suspended four commissioners, head of service and his special adviser on lands.