By; Mohammed Kawu, Bauchi
Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has warned the newly appointed commissioners that he will not hesitate to sanction any one of them found wanting in the discharge of his duties.
According to him, the new commissioners should also be mindful of the fact that members of the public will be keenly watching their official and private conduct, hence they should shun acts that are capable of bringing the government into disrepute.
Swearing-in the new commissioners at an impressive ceremony held at Government House Wednesday, Governor Bala told them, “Your performances will be closely monitored to make sure that you live up to the responsibilities of your various ministries”.
“I would also like to urge the new Commissioners to work harmoniously with their Permanent Secretaries and other management staff of their Ministries towards effective and efficient implementation of policies and programmes of the government”.
He reiterated the unwavering commitment of his administration to continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of the state, stressing “We shall remain focused in our determination to re-brand Bauchi State and take it to the greater height”.
Governor Bala reminded the new appointees that the assignment given to you is a trust and they have a duty to God Almighty and obligation to your fellow human beings, hence they will one day account for their stewardship, if not in this world surely in the hereafter.
While charging the new commissioners not to be tempted to abuse the trust bestowed on them, and serve the people, not to be their masters, the governor said, “Ours is a Government that has as its priority the socio-economic wellbeing of the people of the State’.
“As commissioners you should work hard towards the realization of this noble objective, make judicious use of government resources at you disposal and resist temptation to divert public funds to your personal use, as well make accountability and transparency your guiding principle in the discharge of your duties”.
Mohammed pointed out, “It has been the policy of our Administration to occasionally reshuffle the State Cabinet to reinvigorate and reposition the machinery of the State Government for effective and efficient policy formulation and implementation”.
“It is against the backdrop of this policy thrust that five commissioners were recently dropped and eight new ones appointed. Five out of the eight newly appointed commissioners whose swearing in you have just witnessed would replace the dropped Commissioners”.
“Two of the new commissioners would replace the erstwhile commissioner for Budget, Economic Planning & Multilateral Coordination, Alhaji Aminu Hammayo who has been appointed as Secretary to the State Government and the late Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu Jalam who was until his death the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs”.
“We have set before us a clear course of action by defining our priorities, drawing up relevant policies and programs and setting up plans to achieve our broader goals. To ensure success in our delivery, we periodically undertake an introspection through the review and self-assessment of our performances”.
Governor Bala therefore admonished the commissioners to work hard as the review exercise will become more frequent and members will personally be held responsible for any shortcomings in delivery within their ministries, departments and agencies.
“We will not hesitate to further re-jig the composition of our government where the need arises. Our ultimate goal is to meet the vision we have set towards the development of our dear state”, he stated, and expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the five commissioners that have been dropped from the cabinet for their immense contributions to the development of the state.
He however added, “We, still consider some of them worthy of making further contributions to the State and have, to that end, appointed them as Special Advisers. I wish them and those that have left the Government success in the tasks before them and in their future endeavors”.
The Governor expressed confidence that the new commissioners would justify the confidence reposed in them, and see their appointments as a challenge as well as an opportunity for them to prove their worth in the service of their State.
He concluded by urging the commissioners to acquaint themselves with the policy thrust of the state government so as to be properly guided for efficient and effective discharge of their duties as commissioners and members of the State Executive Council.
The new Commissioners and their postings are Alh. Usman Shehu Usman – Ministry of Information & Communication; Dr. Iliyasu Aliyu Gital,- Ministry of Agriculture; Dr. Bala Musa Lukshi – Ministry of Livestock Development; and Hon. Isa Babayo Tilde – Ministry of Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs
Others are Prof. Titus Saul Ketkukah – Ministry of Works and Transport; Alh. Adamu Babayo Gabarin – Ministry of Youth and Sports; Alh. Abdullahi Mohammed – Ministry of Lands and Survey; Dr. Lawal Mohammed Rimin Zayam – Ministry of Education.
The Bauchi major cabinet reshuffle also saw the redeployment of Amina Muhammad Katagum – from Ministry of Lands and Survey to the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. Alh. Ibrahim Gambo Galadima – from Ministry of Works and Transport to the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs;
Also redeployed are Muhammed Salees Gamawa moves to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment from the Ministry of Youth and Sports; and Engr. Binni Abdulkadir – from Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment to the Ministry for Religious Affairs and Societal Re-orientation.
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