El-Rufai Reshuffles Cabinet As EFCC Arrests, Frees KASUPDA Boss
By AbdulGafar Alabelew
Hours after officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested the Director-General of Kaduna State Urban Planning Development Agency (KASUPDA) Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Monday announced a cabinet reshuffle.
Details surrounding the KASUPDA boss arrest remained sketchy at the time of filing this report but it was gathered that he was initially served an invitation by EFCC which he failed to honour until he got whisked away by men working for the anti-graft agency on Monday morning.
Sources however said the KASUPDA boss has however regained his freedom.
KASUPDA has gained the reputation of Kaduna’s most feared agency due to its demolition of properties across the State.
After the incident, Governor El-Rufai assigned new portfolios to some commissioners and senior officials of the Kaduna State Government.
A statement by Muyiwa Adekeye, Special Adviser to the Governor (Media & Communication), he said the reshuffle is designed to help harness fresh energy for the government’s final lap, bring new insights and enable the commissioners to have more rounded experience of the government.
Muyiwa disclosed that eight of the 14 commissioners swapped portfolios, adding “There were no changes in the ministries of Finance, Justice, Health, Housing & Urban Development, Internal Security and Home Affairs and Human Services and Social Development.”
According to Adekeye: “The new portfolios for the commissioners being reassigned are: Environment: Jaafaru Sani; Public Works and Infrastructure Thomas Gyanh; Education: Halima Lawal; Agriculture: Ibrahim Hussaini; Local Government: Shehu Usman Muhammad; Planning & Budget Commission Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, Business, Innovation & Technology Kabir Mato and Sports Development: Idris Nyam.
“Following the passage of the law creating metropolitan authorities to manage Kaduna, Kafanchan and Zaria as organic cities, Malam Nasir El-Rufai has nominated the following cabinet-rank administrators: Balaraba Aliyu-Inuwa Administrator, Zaria Metropolitan Authority; Muhammad Hafiz Bayero Administrator, Kaduna Capital Territory Phoebe Sukai Yayi Administrator, Kafanchan Municipal Authority.
“Governor El-Rufai has also approved the deployment of the following officials: Umma Aboki Permanent Secretary, Planning & Budget Commission, Murtala Dabo Executive Chairman, Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Abubakar Hassan DG, Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Authority (KADCHMA), Tamar Nandul MD, Kaduna Markets Development & Management Company, Khalil Nur Khalil ES, Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency (KADIPA) and Maimunatu Abubakar GM, Kaduna Environmental Protection Agency (KEPA).
“Amina Ladan will oversee the Kaduna State Roads Agency (KADRA) following the redeployment of Engineer Muhammad Lawal Magaji to the Ministry of Public Works & Infrastructure.
“The government has also announced the appointments of Professor Mohammed Sani as chairman of the Local Government Service Board; Muhammed Muazu Muqaddas as Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Authority (SEMA) and Dr. Shuaibu Shehu Aliyu as Permanent Secretary.
“The governor has nominated Dr. Ishaya Sarki Habu (chairman), Aminu Yusuf Musa, Engr. Rabiu Tanko and Rebecca Nnawo Barde as the new members of the Legislative Service Commission.
“Malam Nasir El-Rufai has conveyed the state government’s gratitude for the service of Aliyu Saidu, former DG-KADCHMA and Lawal Jibrin, former GM of KEPA, who are leaving the government,” Adeleye said.
– The Nation
