Governor Abubakar: trims ministries

Gov. Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi State on Thursday approved the reduction of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA) in the state from 28 to 16.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser, Media, to the Governor, Alhaji Yakubu Mohammed in Bauchi.

The statement said the action would invigorate governance and transform the civil service in the state.

It said the decision was part of the recommendations of the Management Consultancy Firm engaged by the government three months ago to assess and reposition the state civil service.

“Under the new dispensation, Bauchi State now has, in addition to the Ministries, 73 Directorates with 18 of them in the Governor’s Office, 136 Commissions, Departments and Agencies,” he said.

The statement said the new ministries include Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mines and Power, Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Education, Information, Culture and Tourism, Religious and Community Relations.

Others are Finance and Economic Development, Health, State Planning Commissions, Justice, Rural and Community Development.

The remaining are Social Welfare, Youths and Sports, Works, Land and Housing, Local Government Affairs, Water Resources and Women Affairs and Child Development.

It said the state governor also approved the appointment of new Permanent Secretaries.

“This is in conformity with the laid down civil service procedures, the abrogation of the offices of Permanent Secretary Equivalent, Deputy Accountant-General and Deputy Auditor-General from the State Civil Service.

“It is also in adherence to the tenure system, which stipulates the retirement of Permanent Secretaries and Directors on the attainment of the 8-year tenure.”

The scheme also stipulates the adoption by the State Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) introduced by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.