Abdulfattah Olajide
24 December 2008
Prominent Federal Ministries of Finance, Power and Niger Delta as well as the Commerce and Industry portfolio were filled yesterday when President Umaru Yar'adua swore-in another four new ministers who were confirmed by the Senate last week.
Former Director-General of the Debt Management Office Dr. Mansur Mukhtar was assigned the Finance portfolio, to replace Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, while former Secretary to the Government of the Federation [SGF] Obong Ufot Ekaette was assigned to the new Niger Delta ministry. Dr. Rilwan Babalola, an energy economist, was appointed Minister of Power, while former governor of Imo State Chief Achike Udenwa was assigned the Commerce and Industry Ministry portfolio.
The inauguration of the four new ministers has brought the number of cabinet ministers to 41. The president last week swore in 16 new ministers and reshuffled his cabinet.
Speaking at the ceremony, Yar'adua charged the new ministers to uphold the anti-corruption stance of his administration and discharge their responsibilities in accordance with the rule of law.
He said the reconstitution of his cabinet would have been concluded but for the two more ministerial nominees who are awaiting Senate's screening and clearance.
He said, "six days ago we swore in your colleagues and with your swearing in today, this exercise has been almost concluded except for two ministerial nominees that are still with the Senate for clearance. At that time, I charged the newly sworn in ministers to recognise the times we are in and the challenges this country is facing.
We have evolved for ourselves a clear vision which is vision 2020-20 and clear programmes in the 7-point agenda to guide us towards the realisation of this vision. Now the current executive council has the enormous responsibility and burden to begin with a serious work to lay a solid foundation for the accomplishment of this vision. And I believe and I have confidence that all four of you will do your best to contribute to ensure that we work towards the accomplishment of this vision."
"Of course this will require the cherishing of exalted values of honesty, transparency, accountability, the fear of God and hard work in the discharge of our public functions and the total abhorrence of corruption in our public conduct both officially in office and our personal conduct because we need to set exemplary standard as leaders. But as I have said I have full confidence in your ability, determination and commitment to do your best and I assure you that in doing your best you have my support", he added.
Addressing State House correspondents after his inauguration, Chief Ekaette urged the Niger Delta militants to sheath their swords and reciprocate the Yar'adua administration's determination to solve the region's crisis amicably. He said, "They should appreciate what the president has started to do and exercise restraint. Mr. President has demonstrated his good faith in the region and is left for the zone to reciprocate and give the new ministry a chance to make a difference in the Niger Delta."
Ekaette also said of his ministry, "It is a brand new ministry and we are going to start from the scratch to build up the structures and carry on staffing and establish an office and that is going to be our target. Shortly after that we will have to make contacts with the various stakeholders. My initial aim is to ensure that we carry everyone along, I want to have an all inclusive organisation, I want an opportunity to meet with the people to let them appreciate that government is now determined to make a difference in the Niger Delta by creating this new ministry which is also one of the seven point agenda of Mr. President and appointed two indigenes of the Niger Delta region as ministers. It is a clear demonstration of the Niger Delta as its ministers.
It demonstrates Presi-dent's faith in the region and is determined to make sure that there is a difference. We are going to work closely with him and give him all the support to make sure that he achieves the vision for Nigeria 2020-20 and the vision for Niger Delta."
On staffing of the ministry, Chief Ekaette said "staff will be from all over Nigeria. The ministry is a federal ministry and is going to be staffed by competent officers from within and without the Niger Delta region."
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the newly appointed ministers is a welcome development.though they are more qualified nigerian that have not been looked at.next time we like to have unknown tectnocrat that believes more in producing and not administrating.our ministers of the past lacks the ability to produce.lets whatch and see if there will be any difference.