By Nanji Nandang
Nasarawa State governor, Abdullahi Sule, has directed Permanent Secretaries in the state civil service, to man the various ministries under them, pending the appointment of new commissioners.
Sule gave the directive during a meeting with the permanent secretaries, at the Government House, on Wednesday.
This is just as Governor Sule called on the permanent secretaries, not to stall any of the ongoing projects initiated by his administration.
According to Engineer Sule, the essence of the meeting was to remind the permanent secretaries, on the need to keep up to speed, regarding ongoing projects started by the state government.
He recalled that, at inception, he worked for a brief moment, with the permanent secretaries before constituting the state executive council, with the permanent secretaries now resuming same responsibilities pending the appointment of new commissioners.
The governor pointed out that the only difference now is that there are ongoing projects, which must not be allowed to stagnate.
“The essence of the meeting is to specifically appeal to you, not to relax on most of the projects that we started,” he stated.
Sule cited examples with the ministry of finance, budget and planning, where the state has measured successes in issues of SIFTAS and budget preparations.
He therefore appealed to the permanent secretaries, to always seek clarification on issues, stressing that his administration will not tolerate a situation where ongoing projects will stagnate.
The governor explained that, with the local government election scheduled to be held in October, the government is working hard to ensure that things are done right.
“That’s why it’s important that nothing actually suffers as a result of the short interlude,” he added.
Engineer Sule specifically directed the permanent secretary at the ministry of works, to engage all the various directors responsible for the various ongoing projects, such as markets, airport, with a view to catching up to speed.
He asked the permanent secretary to contact him directly or either of the deputy governor or secretary to the government of Nasarawa State, on grey areas requiring clarification.
Also, the governor directed the permanent secretary at the ministry of youths and sports, where the outgoing commissioner started on lots of projects, not to allow such stagnation, especially the renovation of facilities.
Engineer Sule however warned the permanent secretaries, from engaging the services of consultants, describing it as inappropriate.