By Mohammad Ibrahim
Kaduna (Nigeria) – Governor of Kaduna State, Northwest Nigeria, Nasir El-Rufai has reduced the number of commissioners to serve in his cabinet to 13, as against the 24, usually appointed by previous governors that served the state.
He also said his administration will place strict limits on the number of aides that the 13 commissioners would recruit to support them in the discharge of their duties.
This was contained in a statement by his Special Assistant, Media and Publicity Samuel Aruwan.
El-Rufai had repeatedly said his administration would direct more resources to delivering public services, and that such a move “requires a reduction in the proportion consumed by government.”
Accordingly, the Kaduna State government has announced the restructuring of its ministries from 19 to 13. This was part of its strategy to “cut cost, spur efficiency and improve service delivery.”
The machinery of government will now be driven by the following ministries: “Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
“Others are Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism. Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.
“Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Health and Human Service, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.
“Ministry of Budget and Planning, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport
“The realignment of mandates has also resulted in the emergence of two new departments.
The erstwhile Ministry of Lands, Survey and Country Planning is being moved to the Governor’s Office as a department.
“Similarly, the former Ministry of Rural and Community Development becomes a department in the Deputy Governor’s Office.
“Also affected by the restructuring is the Ministry of Information whose functions have now being decentralized. Each ministry will henceforth have its own public relations unit attached to the office of its chief executive,” the statement reads.
