KADUNA – Governor Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna state yesterday announced the sacking of 20 permanent secretaries from Kaduna State civil service and the appointment of new officials to fill some positions in his government.
A statement signed on his behalf by his spokesman, Samuel Aruwan, yesterday made available to newsmen in Kaduna said the reason for sending home the Permanent Secretaries was to cut the cost of governance and free more funds for developments.
Reads parts of the statement: “In line with its resolve to cut the cost of running government, the Kaduna State Government has announced the retirement of 20 permanent secretaries.
“This decision follows the streamlining of ministries in the state from 19 to a leaner 13, as part of efforts to free up resources to be used for providing schools, hospitals, roads and other public goods.
“The government, which had at inception declared its determination to cut costs, drive efficiency and improve service delivery, is continuing the restructuring of its agencies.
“To ensure that the number of permanent secretaries is properly aligned with the new structure, there will be only 13 permanent secretaries for the 13 ministries.
“The ministries are:Justice, Agriculture and Forestry, Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Youth, Sports and Culture and Environment and Natural Resources. Others are: Women Affairs and Social Development, Water Resources, Health and Human Services, and Education, Science and Technology. The rest are: Budget and Planning, Finance and Works, Housing and Transport
“In addition, five departments will be headed by permanent secretaries. These are: the Public Service Office; the Bureau of Establishments; Political and Economic Affairs; Cabinet and Security Services and General Services. This will bring the total number of permanent secretaries in the civil service to 18”.
The affected permanent secretaries hail from 17 of the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.
The statement went to say that the governor has approved the appointment of Thomas Gyang, a plateau state indigene, as Special Adviser, Budget Monitoring and Price Intelligence Unit (BMPIU).
“Mr. Gyang graduated in 1978 with a second-class upper degree in Quantity Surveying from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. A member of the Nigeria Institute of Quantity Surveyors, he has worked as a professional quantity surveyor for Government, private organizations and individuals over a period of 35 years”, reads the statement.
“The governor also named a new chairman for the state’s Local Government Service Commission. He is Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammad Aminu, the Wazirin Zazzau.
“The appointment of Mr. Ezekiel Baba Karik as Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has also been announced. A former vice-chairman of Kaduna South Local Government, Mr. Karik was an organising secretary in the campaign organisation of APC guber aspirant, Hon. Isah Ashiru, prior to serving as special assistant to Mr. Barnabas Yusuf Bala after his emergence as the running mate to Malam El-Rufai. He holds postgraduate diplomas in management studies and business administration”, ends the statement.