.Assembly refuses to clear four
By Ummi Ismaeel,
Minna
Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has swore-in 14 new commissioners thereby ending speculations that the delay was caused by the intra-party crisis within the ranks of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state.
At the event on Wednesday, four commissioner nominees, however, failed to make the list. It was gathered that the Niger State House of Assembly (NSHA) was yet to clear them over protest letters/petitions from groups in their respective councils.
During the swearing in of the commissioners at the Conference Hall, Government House, Minna, Governor Bello advised them to be the change agents the party stands for in fighting corruption and in line with his administration’s zero-tolerance for stealing.
Bello’s words: “You must eschew divisive tendencies among all Nigerlites in your day-to-day discharge of duties and avoid discrimination along political, religious and ethnic colorations”.
Bello was particular about some of the ex-commissioners, who were re-appointed. He said, “Those of you that are fortunate to return after the dissolution of the past executive council, I feel you all need to work harder to uphold the confidence I have reposed on you that warrants your return”.
“And for the newly appointed commissioners, I assume you already know that you have great task ahead of you in supporting this administration to deliver on our mandate with the people who voted us into power”.
A total of 14 out of the 18 names that were submitted to the Niger State House of Assembly by the governor was however cleared while four still await screening and clearance from the legislature.
Those that were sworn-in included the former Sports and Youth Development Commissioner, Mamman Musa Bosso, who is now the commissioner for Water Resources and Dams Development and Hajiya Fatima Madugu, who still retains her Education commissioner position.
Others are Muhammadu Adamu, commissioner for Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Nuhu Diku for Agriculture and Rural Development; Samaila Ibrahim for Youth Affairs, Zakari Bawa for Sports Development, Dr Mustapha Jibrin for Health and Health Services and Zakari Abubakar for Finance.
Haliru Zakai Jikantoro Local Government, Community and Chieftaincy Affairs commissioner, Nasara Danmalam retains Justice Ministry. Ibrahim Balarebe was moved from Finance to Works; and Mohammad Mudi commissioner for Investment, Commerce and Industry.
Alhaji Idris Jibrin Amin is the new commissioner for Environment and Forestry, Rahamatu Ya’Adua for Mineral Resources and Hajiya Amina Gwa for Women Affairs and Social Development.
Bello however said that the Commissioner for Finance was to oversee the Ministry of Planning, while his Culture and Tourism counbterpart, Mr. Sunday Kolo, is to oversee Ministry of Information. Commissioner for Local Government Affairs is to oversee Ministry of Lands and Housing, while Commissioner for Agriculture is to oversee the Ministry of Livestock and Fishery.
