Hon. Iliyasu Isah Warji, is Chairman, Loyalist Awareness Group and Bauchi-based politician. He speaks with HAMIDU SABO, in an interview, on issues of good governance since Governor Mohammed Abubakar came to the saddle in May, 2016
On payment of salaries
All is now well in Bauchi state, as Governor Mohammed Abubakar settled all the salary arrears owe the civil servants in the state together with November salary, the workers are jubilating therefor and offering special prayers for the safety and continuation of peace and good governance in the state.
Remember that Governor Abubakar, had stated emphatically that the starting point of the crusade to reposition Bauchi state is reinvigoration and refocusing the public service to give it a new look assured participants that a recent retreat in Yankari Resort for top bureaucrats and government appointees, will serve as a take-off point for the sensitization of public officers to appreciate the need for them to remain committed towards attaining the goals of social and economic emancipation of the people of the state.
On assumption of office in May 2015, Governor Abubakar, after taking stock of the affairs of Bauchi state, declared that the picture of the public service was nothing to write home about. According to the governor, what his administration inherited as civil service was characterized by ineptitude, indolence, corruption, as well as over-bloated civil service and almost empty treasury with huge debts.
For three days, state commissioners, special advisers and permanent secretaries were at the retreat to sharpen and improve their capacity to understand how to interpret relevant public service rules and regulations also to relate with the external public to market the policies and programmes of this administration.
On import of retreat
The retreat was organized by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government headed by Bello Shehu Ilelah in collaboration with the office of Head of Service of Bauchi state. Both re-echoed the need for the public officers to exhibit loyalty and discipline which, they argued, have all been eroded in the service during past administrations.
The Head of Service, Liman Bello in a welcome address, noted that the retreat symbolized the unequivocal commitment of the Abubakar-led administration towards effective service delivery to the people of the state. You know that the governor has realized the need to put in place of an effective and proactive public service.
Something of particular interest during the three-day intensive retreat is that participants were exposed to various financial rules and regulations, their respective schedules of duties, and the need for synergy among them in public service delivery.
It was chaired by a one-time Secretary to the State Government, Muhammadu Mai-Shanu.
The governor while declaring open the retreat, said it was worrisome the decay in the public service of the state, owing to the non-chalance and prolong neglect from past administrations in the state, resulting in inefficient service delivery.
Even the governor described the retreat as a very important stride in his administration’s collective resolve to build a viable and solid foundation in governance of the state capable of implementing laudable government policies and programmes being tailored to uplift the living standard of the people.
Our governor recalled that the masses or electorate who came out under the scorching sun to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 general elections have given his administration an over whelming mandate, saying “We are duty bound before God the Almighty to commit ourselves to selfless service”.
On critics of the governor
We are all aware that many people are fighting the governor. But many of the critics are not home based, they are not even conversant with the developmental strides of His Excellency since he assumed office. As you know already, many of the opponents of the governor exist on the pages of newspapers and the social media platforms.
If you look at the retreat, we have started reaping the gains, like the cabinet reshuffle approved by Governor Mohammed Abubakar, which the swapping of portfolios by the commissioners and the creation of a new ministry of power science and technology with Dr. Yusuf Mamood, as its commissioner, moved from the Ministry of Agricultural and Natural Resources, Barrister Nasirudden Mohammed, from the Ministry of Finance, moving to the Ministry of Local Government Affairs and Garba Sarki kuyam, with the portfolio of the Ministry for Rural and Community Development taking charge of the Ministry of Finance.
Samaila Mohammed Isa, was moved from the Ministry of Local Government Affairs to the Ministry of Rural and Community Development, whereas Mohammed Edrees Abdullahi, was moved from the Ministry for Religious Affairs and Community Relations to the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.
Baba Madugu, formerly, Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism was moved to the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Community Relations, while Mohammed Ghali Abdulhamid, moves from the Ministry of Water Resources to oversee the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Dr. Audu Gani Bogoro is the Commissioner in the Ministry of Environment and Solid Minerals.
During the Yankari retreat, Secretary to the State Government, Bello Shehu Ilelah similarly announced the posting of permanent secretaries as approved by Governor Mohammed Abubakar, with Bashir Uba Mashema, moved to the Ministry of Social Welfare, Youth and Sports while Aliyu Ahmed, was posted to the state Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
Also, the new posting saw Abdullahi Sade of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mohammed Awwal Ibrahim posted to the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Community Relations while Hashimu Dori was from Ministry of Local Government Affairs posted to Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.
Alhaji Bello Ilelah also gave the name of Adamu Umar Gokaru who was posted to Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, while Alhaji Hassan Jumba was posted to the Ministry of Justice.
With all these achievements of Abubakar, NASS members from Bauchi state are still fighting him and sponsoring his impeachment
This is to show you they are wounded lions who are fighting for their shallow interest. They are not grateful to God and by God’s grace their attitude will expose them before 2019. If I may tell you, these politicians don’t have political structure, none of them has a political agenda. In fact, their alleged involvement in the 2016 budget padding is a big minus on their home support politically. Because, Bauchi people now understood who those people in the National Assembly are working for. Now, they cannot visit their constituencies. In fact, Governor Abubakar is the man on ground and he is in control of the government. To tell you the truth, Bauchi people are satisfied with his administration so far.