BY MARY KUYE
Nigeria new Minister of Power, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu has urged Nigerians not to look at him as Power Minister, adding that he came to assist and would not perform magic in the sector.
Aliyu on Monday therefore solicited the support of the Ministry’s staff, declaring that though he was not a magician, he was in the ministry to add value to the sector.
Aliyu was appointed the Minister of Power last Wednesday by President Muhammadu Buhari following a minor cabinet reshuffle that saw the sacking of Mamman Sale as Minister of Power. He redeployed from his position as Minister of State Works and Housing.
Ailyu who spoke to the staff as he resumed duty in Abuja, urged them to be honest and dedicated to their jobs given the critical nature of the sector to Nigeria’s development.
“I want to urge everyone, from the permanent secretary down the ladder to the cleaners, we should be dedicated, committed to the task at hand.
“I know you have done a lot. I am here to assist, you are the ones doing the job and will continue to do it.
“I am not an electrical engineer or had anything to do with power in the past, but I am an engineer and I know when something is going wrong I will detect it.
“I will not allow it and I will try my best to make amend; together with you or without you, because that is my mandate, to ensure that we succeed.”
He explained that he was sent to the Ministry with a purpose to “look at everything you are doing as regards power generation, transmission, and distribution.”
He stressed that “our work is very key, it touches the lives of all Nigerians; 200 million people. So you know it is an enormous responsibility invested on all of us.
“Don’t look at me as the Minister of Power that I have come to make magic, no, I am not a magician. I am coming to add value to what you have already been doing. So let us work together in honesty and full commitment”, he charged.
Earlier, Permanent Secretary, Mr William Alor welcomed the Minister and assured him of the support and cooperation of the staff.
The Minister was accompanied to the Ministry by the Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu.
