I’ll probe ministries, agencies from 2007 – Jonathan •Directs EFCC, ICPC to investigate states, LGs

Posted by admin EFCC Politics, Goodluck Jonathan (2010-present), Headlines, Ministries, Presidency Friday, July 15th, 2011

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, on Thursday, swore in the last batch of nine new ministers, with a declaration that his administration would probe the activities of all federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) from 2007.

He has also directed the nation’s anti-corruption bodies to focus greater attention on all tiers of government as he vowed to defeat what he called the monster of corruption following the embarrassing rating of Nigeria in the global corruption index.

The new ministers who took their oath of office in the Aso Chambers of the Presidential Villa included Dr Mohammed Ali-Pate (Borno), Chief Edem Duke (Cross Rivers); Mrs Omobola Johnson (Ondo); Mrs Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafia (Kaduna) and Dr Nurudeen Mohammad (Jigawa).

Others were Mrs Sarah Ochepe (Plateau); Ms Ama Pepple (Rivers); Ezebunwo Nyedem Wike (Rivers) and Dr Akinwunmi Adeshina Ayodeji (Ogun).

Jonathan explained that he took his time and followed due process to put the cabinet together as stipulated by the Constitution, adding, “some of the ministers are returning to their old portfolios to ensure not just continuity, but also the consolidation of projects and processes embarked upon in the last year.”

He expressed concern that in the course of his efforts to select the cabinet, he received disturbing reports of threats of assassination to nominees, their families and friends, and so much campaign of calumny to discourage them from coming into government to serve.

“This is most unfortunate. Service to the nation is a patriotic duty that every citizen must look up to, and support. There is no greater responsibility than service to the nation,” he said.

He also spoke of the negative and positive comments that trailed the appointments, and therefore reminded the new minsters that they were all on probation in the eyes of Nigerians.

Delivering his charge to the new appointees, Jonathan stated the issue of corruption was critical and would engage the attention of the new administration.

According to him, “there is no doubt that our rating in the Global Corruption Index is embarrassing. Corruption is therefore the monster that we need to confront and defeat, in order to raise the country’s integrity profile. The war against corruption in this dispensation will start at the centre.

“The anti-corruption agencies have been directed to beam their searchlights on the ministries, departments and Agencies of the Federal Government, and also focus on the states and local government areas, in order to send out a clear signal, that no form of abuse will be tolerated.

“We will carry out a comprehensive audit of all ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government beginning from June 2007. You must observe due process in all that you do. I expect you to be above board,” he said.

Jonathan noted that the ministers were expected to be change-agents that Nigerians have been yearning for, charging them to ensure the delivery of the promises he made during his electioneering.

He said: “You must know that expectations are high at home and abroad. We are expected to stabilise power supply in the country, as a minimum pre-condition for strengthening national productivity, we are expected to generate employment for our unemployed youth; we are expected to revolutionise the agricultural sector and ensure food security for the people; we are expected to sanitise the oil and gas sector; the people also want good roads, a more qualitative public school system, as well as more efficient public health and transportation systems, and so on.

“These expectations cut across all sectors. Most importantly, we are expected to protect life and property, and guarantee the welfare and happiness of all Nigerians. We cannot afford to disappoint the people,” he stated.

The president, who rejected the assertion in some quarters that Nigeria had become a failed state, said the task of the present administration was to address the issues which preoccupied Nigerians.

According to him, “we must act quickly, while, at the same time, working on sustainable responses to long-term challenges. This is the debt we owe the electorate who turned out in large numbers in the April 2011 elections to make a statement with their votes. I will, therefore, expect the best form of conduct in the discharge of your responsibilities.

“A responsive, responsible and accountable government is central to a genuine democracy. To continue in your positions, you must always be responsive, responsible and accountable,”while he also charged the ministers and their ministers of state not to work at cross purposes.

The president spoke on his new economic team, revealing that the Minister of Finance would head the new team.

He recalled that in the various speeches he gave from the primaries, through the campaigns to the inauguration on May 29, he promised Nigerians that he would run a transparent government and ensure a significant improvement in the economy.

The president, therefore, called on the new ministers to join him and Vice-President Namadi Sambo in their plan to restructure the economy, saying that “our plan is to restructure the economic management team, in order to make it more functional; the new structure will be co-coordinated by the Minister of Finance, with a charge to ensure improved performance of key economic sectors and greater efficiency.”

He enjoined the new ministers not to regard their position as merely another job or a reward for status, but as an opportunity to serve the people of Nigeria.

-Tribunewp_posts