Amaechi proceeds on one week casual leave after being sworn-in as transport minister

FORMER Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi will not resume duty as Nigeria's new transport minister until November 17 as he has decided to proceed on leave for the next week following his appointment yesterday.

 

Governor Amaechi was one of 36 ministers given a portfolio yesterday and immediately after his appointment, he promised to resuscitate Nigeria's moribund rail network. However, after the reception, unlike most of his colleagues who got to work immediately, Governor Amaechi said he is going on a one-week casual leave.

 

After a brief meeting with top officials of the ministry, Governor Amaechi said he will be on leave until Sabiu Zakari, the newly appointed permanent secretary assumes duty. Like the ministers, permanent secretaries too have just been appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari and several of them have yet to assume office.

 

According to Governor Amaechi, his meeting with the permanent secretary and the directors of the transport ministry on November 17 would begin by looking at the budget and its level of implementation. He added that the meeting is necessary to chart a new course toward completing all ongoing projects, especially rail and extending it to different parts of the country.

 

Among other things, he called for cooperation from all parastatals and agencies of the ministry and the aviation sector. One of the most controversial ministerial nominees, Governor Amaechi's appointment was opposed by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.