Perm Sec says merging of ministries is in line with economic realities

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Youth and Sports , Mr Norbert Okoro, said recent merger of some ministries in Imo was necessitated by current economic down-turn in the nation.

Okoro said this during his maiden meeting with Heads of Departments of the former Ministry of Information and Strategy and that of Youths and Sports on Friday in Owerri.

He said there was need to restructure the existing departments in the ministry to a manageable number.

He, however, promised that no worker would lose his or her job with the merger of the ministries.

Okoro appealed to those who might lose their positions as a result of the merger to take it in good faith and assured that every interest would be accommodated in the adjustments.

The permanent secretary further stressed the need for the management staff to be proactive in their service delivery and enjoined them to create a harmonious working relationship in the ministry.

Other issues deliberated on at the meeting included prospects and challenges of the various departments and the way forward to achieving a more vibrant ministry of information, youths and sports.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Imo government recently reduced the number of its ministries from 22 to 13.

The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Sam Onwuemeodo, said the move followed “the disturbing general economic situation in the country and effort by the state government to make the ministries effective and productive.”

Onwuemeodo said the decision was taken at a joint meeting of senior government officials, permanent secretaries and the state governor, Mr Rochas Okorocha.

He explained that the permanent secretaries in the affected ministries and the staff would be moved to other ministries.

He noted that the prunning down of the ministries from 22 to 13 would not in any way lead to loss of jobs.

He said that for the 13 ministries to function, there would be a blue-print on how to make them solid and viable, with the aim of achieving the desired results.