SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF KADUNA STATE ARC MOHAMMED NAMADI SAMBO (fnia) AT THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONY OF NEWLY APPOINTED COMMISSIONERS ON MONDAY 30^TH JULY 2007 AT GAMJI MULTI-PURPOSE THEATRE KADUNA

The swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed members of Kaduna State Executive Council we have just witnessed is a clear testimony of our unflinching determination to put in place structures that will aid us in service delivery and enhance rapid development of the State. Since my assumption of office on the 29^th of May this year, I went straight into action with a view to meeting to our campaign promises.

An overview of the economic policy in Nigeria from 1999 to date shows a decline in the activities of industries in Kaduna State with a high percentage of closures, continued increase in unemployment, failure in the provision of education which is resulting in the declining production of the required manpower for actual and true development, complete breakdown of healthcare delivery with the attendant result of the economic policy twists. It then appears that all the policies within the period under review are in favour of financial institutions in the country.

There is the need to revisit this policy with a view to improving it to allow positive development in this important sector, without which there cannot be any meaningful advancement.

My candid view is that we should not be prisoners of inflation. Funds must be injected for positive development and our financial economists must be brilliant enough to be able to manage the positive inflationary factor that will allow the creation of permanent wealth and development, which will lead Nigeria as one of the most developed economies  by the year 2020, with the necessary structures, support and cooperation of the other tiers of government.

There is no gainsaying that we have enormous responsibilities ahead of us in turning the State around. As human beings, we are always desirous for collective and responsive leadership in the hope of serving our people. I have selected and sworn-in commissioners that I am confident will make a formidable team to work with and turn the fortunes of the State around.

I wish to make it abundantly clear that the choices that have been made are based purely on merit and the perceived ability of the appointees based on their previous records to meet the ever-increasing challenges facing the State.

As Honourableourable Commissioners, I charge you to regard Kaduna State as your overall constituency and not any sectional or parochial interests. You must be reminded that the challenges before you are enormous and as such you must strive to make Kaduna State a model worthy of emulation by all. To attain this feat, you should not compromise your reputations and integrity. You should by no means succumb to any undue influences or negative pressure in the course of discharging your duties.

It must be stressed in clear terms that You and I are now under Oath to discharge our duties to the best of our abilities without fear or favour and with utmost Honourableesty and dedication.

Prior to our securing the people’s mandate, we promised during our electioneering campaigns that our cardinal policy thrusts when elected would be an elaborate programme that will encompass the followings:

1.           Security for Peace and Development

2.           Free and Compulsory primary education and General Development of the Education Sector

3.           Intensive Agricultural Development

4.           Poverty Alleviation

5.           Youths and Women Empowerment

6.           Infrastructural Development

7.           Improved Healthcare Delivery

8.           Industrial Regeneration

9.           Provision of Housing For All

10.       Transformation of Rural Areas to Modern Standards

11.       Improved Welfare Package for all Workers and Pensioners.

Since I assumed duty, I have touched on almost all the areas outlined above. I have declared a State-of-emergency in the areas of Education, Agriculture, Power and Water Supply. I have set up a Bureau for Budget Monitoring and Price Intelligence Unit, the  Due Process office, with the resolve of embracing transparency, engendering competition, ensuring fairness, maintaining government’s integrity and openness and above all guaranteeing value for money in the procurement processes and procedures of government at all times. Governments at all levels are functional and vibrant carrying out the outlined programmes to their logical conclusions.

The sum-total intention of these activities is to add value to the lives of the good people of the State through such mechanisms as poverty reduction and wealth creation. Your coming in now is nevertheless timely as we shall at our own level continuously provide a policy direction for effective running of government programmes in the State.

For us to translate our intentions into reality, all hands must be on deck. This administration shall not in whatever guise condone unlawful acts such as embezzlements, corruption, abuse, waste and nepotism. It must be adhered to strictly that decisions arrived at, during the State Executive Council meetings shall be immediately disseminated to the relevant government agencies for timely implementation. This goes to imply that your subordinates must be carried along in the implementation of government Policies, Directives or Programmes.

This appointment is not intended for you to dip your hands into the treasury for the purpose of self-enrichment. Anyone of you that has such clandestine motive of creating such avenues for making personal wealth, I must advise such a person that he is in the wrong place and should decline this offer forthwith.

Finally, I once again congratulate you on your well-deserved appointments and hope fervently that we shall work together for the progress of our people.

THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS.

Governor Arch Mohammed Namadi Sambo is a true democrat, whose approach to problems is always humane and conciliatory he is a man of peace who patiently looked to the future with courage and hope. His commitment in the direction of transforming the state into a relatively better integrated and functional polity is continuing  with a mission  to create a stable  and cohesive polity capable of securing effectively the interests of the various communities and giving them the opportunity to develop and live in peace  with one another.