Governor Lalong Swears In Commissioner, Special Advisers Few Days To Elections

Governor Lalong Swears In Commissioner, Special Advisers Few Days To Elections

 By Moses Gbande

Plateau state governor, Simon Bako Lalong on Thursday sworn into office  new member of the Plateau State Executive Council, Eight Special Advisers and Eight Permanent Secretaries. 

Governor Lalong at the event acknowledged the significance of the event, saying it is an eloquent demonstration of the Rescue Administration’s resolute commitment to putting round pegs in round holes to fill all existing vacancies and reinvigorate the machinery of government in the state. 

“This is deliberately done in line with our policy of inclusive governance, which is rooted in the desire to give every community, ethnic group or local government a sense of belonging in order to carry everyone along in the task of governance. Gone are the days of the impunity of the past, where the sentiments of nepotism and other primordial interests became more or less official state policy, to the detriment of all and sundry. Gone indeed are the days when one’s appointment, promotion, posting and position were solely determined by the whims and caprices of the leader without including all interests and carrying everybody along.

“Those sworn-in today are all products of our consultative and participatory approach in keeping with our people-oriented style of governance since the last 3 years and 9 Months that we assumed the mantle of leadership. They were found worthy of their appointments after a meticulous and painstaking effort. In other words, the appointees were subjected to scrutiny and they all passed through the crucible of due diligence before we chose them.

While the new Commissioner and Special Advisers are coming on board to represent their respective local governments and   contribute their quota to state-building, the new Permanent Secretaries are coming in to fill the vacant positions existing in some ministries due to either retirement or death, as the case may be. You are all charged to hit the ground running and achieve record time results. Let me warn that this administration will accept nothing short of a total commitment to hard work that is predicated on a proactive, active and creative display by all appointees. Any political appointee that falls short of this will be shown the exit door.

“You must also endeavor to live above board and shun all acts of corruption, as this government and, indeed, the Federal Government under the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has for umpteenth times demonstrated its zero-tolerance stance on graft. You must view your appointments as an opportunity to serve your state and also bear in mind that a good performance will serve as the springboard for your elevation to higher office in the future. 

“For the new Permanent Secretaries, particularly, as seasoned administrators, you are expected to bring to bear the wealth of experience which you have garnered over the years into you new offices. As the Chief Accounting Officers in your respective ministries, you must ensure the prudent application of the limited resources at your disposal. Do not forget that you will be held responsible for any official misdemeanor during your tenure of office.

“Therefore, anyone who is not ready to cue into this administration’s developmental philosophy and bring on board creative thinking and developmental initiatives that will add value to the lives of our people should not bother to come forward to be administered the oath of office today. Once more, congratulations and I wish you success in the discharge of this demanding responsibility which has been bestowed on your shoulders.

He announced the Commissioners and their portfolios as follows:

Mr. Waidu Ishaku 

Commissioner for special duties, Justice Philomena Lot (Rtd)

Special Adviser on Due process andbefficiency, 

AIG Dorothy Gimba (Rtd)

Special Adviser on peace and security and Barr. Ayuba Burke Gufwan 

Special Adviser on disability affairs. 

Others are Barr.Jonathan Mawiyau, Special Adviser on legal matters, while 

Prof. Garbage Sharubutu is the  Special Adviser on Agricultural and natural resources,  is the 

Mr. Danladi Mann 

Special Adviser on sports, Mr. Christopher Chuwak 

Special Adviser special duties and Comr. Jibrin Banchir as Special Adviser

on Labour matters.

He said for the newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries, his postings will be announced by the office of the Head of the Civil Service.