Posted by The PM News on
As part of efforts to fast-track and effectively co-ordinate the implementation of the Seven-Point Agenda of his Administration, President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua has approved the rationalization and restructuring of Federal Ministries.
A Ministry of Niger Delta has been created to lead and coordinate environmental and youth empowerment policy initiatives as well as reinforce the Administration's commitment to the overall development of the region.
Similarly, the Ministry of Police Affairs has been restored to give necessary attention to the security imperatives of the nation within the ambit of the Seven-Point Agenda.
The Ministry of Energy has been broken into two Ministries - the Ministry of Power to be manned by a substantive Minister and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources with a minister and a minister of state.
Other adjustments to the current ministerial structure are the restoration to their original concepts of the Ministries of Aviation; Transport; Environment; Works, Housing and Urban Development; Water Resources; and Agriculture and Rural Development.
Furthermore, the Ministers in the Ministries of Education, Mines and Steel Development, Science and Technology, have been reduced by one each.
The review of the current structure is predicated on the need to streamline and strengthen the mechanism for service delivery without sacrificing the objectives of the Public Service Reforms carried out at the twilight of the last administration.
Under this new structure which is expected to engender greater flexibility, direction and focus, there will be 28 ministries and 42 ministers to cover the constitutional requirements for federal character while addressing the issues of equity and affirmative action.
Other Ministries in the new dispensation are: Finance, Health, Justice, Commerce and Industry, Foreign Affairs, Defence, Information and Communications, Labour and Productivity, Youth Development, Women Affairs and Social Development, Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Interior and Federal Capital Territory Administration. The National Planning Commission and National Sports Commission retain the same structure.
President Yar'Adua has directed all Ministers to re-articulate the mandates of their Ministries, Departments in line with the requirements of the Seven-Point Agenda under the guidance of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Head of Service.
The next meeting of the Federal Executive Council will hold on Wednesday September 24, to allow the President enough time for the implementation of the restructuring exercise.
Olusegun Adeniyi
Special Adviser to the President
(Communications)
10 September, 2008