El-Rufai scraps three ministries, creates new ones

Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna state, has scrapped three ministries and created new ones, including the ministry for internal security.

In a statement, Samuel Aruwan, media aide to the governor, said as part of el-Rufai’s structure for second term, he has signed an executive order creating three new ministries.

“In a major rejig of the governance structure, Malam Nasir El-Rufai has signed an Executive Order to create and restructure ministries in Kaduna State,” the statement read.

“The order abolishes the Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Tourism, the Ministry of Rural & Community Development and the Ministry of Water Resources. It amends the mandates of the ministries responsible for local government, women and social development, works and sports.

“The newly created ministries are: Business, Innovation and Technology which will coordinate the development of skills, business, trade and manufacturing in the state. It also takes over the technology portfolio from the Ministry of Education and is expected to encourage the development of the digital ecosystem in the state. The new ministry will promote tourism and regulate tourism facilities in the state.

“Housing & Urban Development has the mandate to ensure the construction and maintenance of public buildings and to promote the expansion of the housing stock in the state. It will also be in charge of ensuring the enforcement of development control regulations, and the implementation of urban planning and country planning policies and urban renewal programmes in the state.

“Internal Security and Home Affairs has the mandate to coordinate internal security matters and liaison with security agencies in the state. It is expected to enhance the state government’s capacity to address security challenges. It will also supervise the activities of parastatals and agencies performing home affairs functions.”

Aruwan said ministries with amended or expanded mandates include human services and social development which will be the lead agency of the government in promoting and protecting the welfare of women, youths and vulnerable groups in the society.