Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, on Thursday, vowed to cut down on the cost of governance and fancy lifestyles to overcome economic and security challenges oppressing the state. Furthermore, the governor directed the newly inaugurated commissioner in the state to use their old vehicles as official cars.
He noted that the period was an emergency one, which necessitated tough decisions to survive. Also, the governor set up a Trust Fund to cater to the poor and vulnerable people in the state to cushion the effect of the oil subsidy removal while promising to donate 50 percent of his salary to the fund.
Sani, who spoke shortly after the swearing-in and administration of the oath of office of the new Commissioners at Sir Kashim Government House, Kaduna, on Thursday, acknowledged that the state was confronted with economic and security challenges.
He said: “We count on you to bring your experience and competence to bear on governance in the state. You are coming into our administration at a period when we are confronted with serious economic and security challenges. Creative and innovative steps are being taken to address the challenges.
“Our President took a hard and painful but necessary decision to remove fuel subsidy. We are therefore in a period of emergency. We must cut down on the cost of governance, and ostentatious lifestyle.
“All commissioners must use their old vehicles. If we led by example, our people would follow. Excuses for lackluster performance will not be accepted; we shall strictly assess you based on performance indicators. Anyone who fails to measure up shall be shown the way out.”
The newly inaugurated commissioners are; Former Speaker, Kaduna State House of Assembly, Hon. Abdullahi Aminu Shagali( Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development), Prof. Muhammad Sani Bello (Commissioner for Education); Hajiya Imma Kaltume Ahmed (Commission of Health); Sadique Mamman Lagos (Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs); and a former Accountant-General of the state, Shizzer Nasara Bada (Commissioner of Finance).
Others include a former State Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Barr. Sule Shuaibu (Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice); a former Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Malam Murtala Dabo (Commissioner of Agriculture); a former House of Representatives Member, Hon. Mukhtar Ahmed Monrovia (Commissioner for Planning and Budget); Hajiya Rabi Salisu (Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development); and a former Lere LG Chairman, Hon. Abubakar Buba (Commissioner for Environment).
Also Mrs Patience Fakai (Commissioner of Business, Innovations, and Technology); Arch. Ibrahim Hamza (Commissioner of Works and Infrastructure); Prof. Benjamin Kumai Gugong (Commissioner of Sports Development); and Auwal Musa Shugaba were however absent from the swearing.
