By Shuaibu Usman
With the excision of the mining sub-sector activities from the Nasarawa State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources by Governor Abdullahi Sule during the swearing-in of Commissioner of Women Affairs and Humanitarian Services, Margaret Elayo and leadership of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) last Thursday, the social media has taken a swipe on the ministry with divergent public perceptions on the mandates left to the ministry.
The reactions, in pro and cons, are degenerating into a full-blown social media tussle among young people, professionals and government officials.
Nasarawa Newsline reports that during a phone interview with the Commissioner of Environment and Natural Resources, Isaac Danladi, said the Governor has the executive powers to decide on the mandates of the ministry, describing the negative commentary of the public as an act of mischief by a few disadvantaged elements.
Danladi said the environment ministry is refocusing its attention to several areas of intervention and development, listing areas such as afforestation, climate change, World-Bank’s NEWMAP and ACRESAL Projects as significant interventions that can keep the ministry and the state moving.
He condemned the action of the mischief-makers aimed at destabilising the commitment of the ministry’s leadership to achieving the ambitious goals of the Governor in the ministry.
Danladi maintained that no society can thrive without a friendly environment that can woo investors, adding that investors’ confidence begins from the serenity of the state which is a mandate of the Environment and Natural Resources Ministry.
He explained that the takeover is for the best interest of the state, adding that there has been a lingering crisis over mining activities in the state, which needs the Governor’s stricter intervention.
He added that it is a wrong narrative of some detractors who are bent on perpetrating evil to disfigure the ministry, reiterating his commitment to serving Governor Sule and the state in the best of his ability without fear or favour.
During the swearing-in ceremony on Thursday, the Governor said taking over the mining component supervision from the ministry would create a seamless atmosphere for minerals exploration and investment, stressing that a Special Adviser would oversee the mining sub-sector activities directly under the Governor’s Office.