The Commissioner for Water Resources in Ebonyi State, Mr. Victor Uzoma Chukwu, has pledged to replicate the achievements he recorded in the Ministry of Environment, assuring residents of his commitment to improving access to clean and potable water across the state.
Chukwu gave the assurance on Tuesday while addressing journalists in Abakaliki following his redeployment from the Ministry of Environment to the Ministry of Water Resources by Governor Francis Nwifuru.
Describing himself as a "rugby player" who is always ready to serve wherever assigned, the commissioner said his redeployment was a call to greater responsibility rather than a setback.
"I am a rugby player. Wherever my coach deploys me to, I will be enthused to prove myself there. I am not supposed to be confined to a place. You can get redundant if you stay too much in a place," he said.
He noted that the Water Resources Ministry occupies a strategic position because of the importance of potable water to human existence, adding that he was honoured to be entrusted with the responsibility of leading the ministry.
According to him, his administration will build on existing achievements in the ministry while introducing new initiatives aimed at strengthening water supply across the state.
Chukwu said the success recorded in the Environment Ministry was achieved by improving existing systems and sustaining environmental sanitation across the state.
"We improved on what was already going on and added our touches to sustain the cleanliness of the city," he said.
The commissioner also defended his performance as former Commissioner for Environment, dismissing criticisms that Ebonyi was a dirty state.
He alleged that most of the attacks against the ministry were politically motivated, claiming that some individuals felt threatened by his rising political profile and decisions taken during his tenure.
According to him, Ebonyi's ranking as the second-neatest state in Nigeria in an environmental assessment involving the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory was evidence of the ministry's performance.
"We are handing over proudly the second-neatest state in the country. Every other thing is by the way," he stated.
Looking ahead, Chukwu assured residents that he would bring the same level of dedication and commitment to the Water Resources Ministry.
He stressed that beyond his loyalty to the people of Ebonyi State, he remained committed to supporting Governor Francis Nwifuru in delivering effective governance.
"I owe the state a duty to prove myself wherever I go. I am also obligated to the governor to see him succeed because we worked hard to make this administration a reality. I will do my best in the Ministry of Water Resources, and Ebonyians as well as the world will judge my performance," he said.
