In a bold and decisive move that defied analysts’ predictions and permutations, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday split the Ministry of Finance and created another ministry – Ministry of Budget and Planning.
Buhari subsequently named the former Ogun State commissioner for finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, the new minister of finance while Senator Udoma Udo Udoma was appointed minister of budget and planning.
Hitherto, the budget office was under the supervision of the finance ministry, which had remained the key ministry that handled both the financial and budgeting issues for the federal government. The ministry was further elevated to the first among equals when former President Goodluck Jonathan made the former minister of Finance , Dr Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala, the coordinating minister of the economy.
But Buhari might have realised the importance of budgeting and planning and the need to insulate it from the bureaucracy of the ministry of finance.
Buhari also surprised analysts and named 24 ministers with unusual portfolios – he appointed former Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) the minister of power, works and housing, just as he assigned transportation ministry to former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi.
The president also told Nigerians that he consulted widely before assigning portfolios to the new ministers, contrary to the insinuation that he acted alone.
As he earlier stated, Buhari assigned himself the petroleum ministerial while the group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Ibe Kachikwu is the minister of state for petroleum. He also named Abubakar Malami the attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice.
Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazzau was handed the Ministry of Interior, Senator Chris Ngige (Anambra) is in charge of Labour and Employment Ministry, while Chief Audu Ogbeh is overseeing the Agriculture Ministry.
Mrs Folakemi Adeosun (Ogun State) heads Finance Ministry; Kayode Fayemi is in charge of Solid Minerals Ministry; Omolaye Daramola (Ondo State) is Minister of State, Niger Delta Ministry; Prof. Isaac Adewole (Osun) is in charge of Health Ministry and Abdulrahim Shittu (Oyo) heads the Ministry of Communications. The South West unarguably clinched most of the choice ministries.
Buhari also rationalised and pruned down the number of ministries from the 38 under former president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, to only 24.
In his address Buhari tasked the new ministers to hit the ground running to justify the confidence of Nigerians and meet their expectations.
“Our new ministers must proceed to work speedily and do their utmost to justify the confidence we have placed in them, not only by their conduct but also by their performance in their various positions,” he said.
The president explained that in choosing the ministers, he took into serious consideration not only their ability to deliver the goods but also the need to reconcile the ethnic, religious and political divides that had permeated the polity.
He said he also did some thoughtful reflections to ensure that right people were placed in the right places where their utmost performance could be made manifest, thereby avoiding the errors of the past where capabilities were sacrificed on the altar of wrong portfolios.
He said, “Since our inauguration on May 29, 2015, the Vice President and I have been mindful of the need to constitute a cabinet that will best deliver our expectations of a better country than we inherited. We want to work towards a prosperous nation respected for the right reasons, and whose citizens can hold up their heads anywhere in the world. And we are optimistic that bringing this set of ministers into the service of our country today is a step in the right direction, a timely move towards realising our positive goals for our country.
“Since we assumed office in May, I have been mindful of the need to ensure that the appointment of new ministers translates into putting round pegs in round holes while showing sensitivity to our diversity as a people and our various positions as groups of stakeholders in our country.
“I have also been conscious of the need not to repeat such mistakes of the past where the right people were allocated the wrong portfolios, which translated into their performing poorly to our collective detriment despite their obvious capabilities. Also, I have responded to the counsel to consult as widely as possible, given the need to build a stable and all-inclusive government by reaching across our various ethnic and political divides,” the President stated.
Buhari declared, accordingly, that with the inauguration of ministers, the government shall continue more decisively to implement its policies in respect of the economy and in other areas.
According to him, while working hard to maximise revenue from oil in the face of a sharp decline in the price for the commodity, his administration was determined to diversify the economy through agriculture and solid minerals as major revenue earners and to enhance employment generation.
The primary aim, according to him, was to achieve self-sufficiency in the production of such staples as rice and wheat and for Nigeria to become a major consumer and exporter of both items as well as solid minerals, adding that the administration intended to pursue policies that would generate massive employment for millions of Nigerian youths.
“We shall also continue with greater determination and focus to pursue our goal of ensuring improved security for our country and its citizens, and without letting up on our fight against corruption. Our commitment to defeat Boko Haram and all the threats it constitutes remains as strong as ever. So is our resolve to root out vices such as kidnapping and neutralise the various forms of criminalities that threaten the social peace of Nigerians,” the president also stated.
He remarked that despite challenges, his administration had made noticeable progress in its short life, as an indication of how much better Nigerians could do as a people driven by patriotism and a common resolve to do things right both in the moral and economic spheres.
He said: “On the moral sphere, trust is slowly but steadily being re-established between the government and the people. Now, when the government speaks, the people listen; and when the people’s expectations are not met, they appreciate that it is not for lack of commitment or trying on the part of government. In effect, government business is now being conducted with transparency, and cynicism is waning as a result.
“Our adoption of the Treasury Single Account has resulted in the blocking of financial leakages in the public sector, making more funds available for the business of governance and ensuring the welfare of our citizens. The Central Bank of Nigeria has also assisted more than 30 states of the federation with concessionary loans to offset salary arrears for their workers. On the monetary side, the CBN has also implemented country-specific and innovative policies that have helped to stabilise the exchange rate and conserve our reserves.
“Overall, our economy is poised for sustained job creation, poverty reduction and inclusive growth. Regardless of the present challenges we are confronting, I believe all Nigerians will keep hope alive and sustain their optimism about the future of our economic wellbeing.”
Dignitaries who witnessed the oath taking ceremony included Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate president Bukola Saraki, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmoud Mohammed, and the national chairman, All Progressive Congress, Chief John Oyegun.
Transport: Amaechi pledges completion of abandoned rail projects
The Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, who resumed at the ministry yesterday, has pledged to complete all abandoned rail projects in the country, saying that a fully functional rail system will ease transportation difficulties as well as create employment opportunities.
The minister, who was accompanied by minister of state, Aviation, Hadi Sirika, and the permanent secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Zakari Sabiu, said that he had come to the Transport Ministry to work in accordance with the change agenda of the present administration.
“Rail transport is the easiest thing to achieve if you get capable hands. We are going to work towards completing abandoned rail projects. They will help create employment and ease mass transportation of people. Our mandate is to deliver quality service to the people in accordance with the change agenda,” he said.
The minister stressed that corrupt practices and bribery of all kinds would not be tolerated, saying that anyone caught would be punished.
“I believe in principles; I don’t like protocols. When I say I hate corruption I mean it. I don’t give bribe and I don’t take either. If you want to relate with me, don’t give me money and don’t ask me for money. Just do your job creditably. Don’t see me on the road and run away; I am not as bad as they make it seem. Don’t steal, let’s be friends,” he said.
Amaechi promised to resume fully on Tuesday, after he would have been fully briefed by the outgoing permanent secretary, while calling on staff of the ministry to brace up for quality service as there is going to be competition among ministers on who will deliver first.
The permanent secretary of the ministry, Zakari Sabiu, said the ministry was delighted to have the new minister, especially given his track record of performance in the rail sector, among others.
He assured the minister of the staff’s readiness to work in line with the change agenda to deliver efficient rail, ports and general transportation system.
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