NCSCN CONDEMNS REDEPLOYMENT OF PERM SEC, MINISTRY OF PERTROLEUM RESOURCES
By Aluta News
The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) has condemned the redeployment of Amb Gabriel Tanimu Aduda, as the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
The group which described the recent deployment and redeployment exercise by the Head of Service of the Federation as a critical error, said the decision may cause the entire nation serious setbacks and possible losses on diverse ways, if it is not immediately reversed.
In a press conference organized by the group in Abuja on Tuesday, the group through its Executive secretary, Amb. Blessing A. Akinlosotu, described the recent deployment and redeployment of the Permanent Secretaries in the federal ministries as political, saying the postings have no regard for competence.
“In the recent deployment and redeployment exercise by the Head of Service of the Federation, we have observed some critical errors that may cause the entire nation serious setbacks and possible losses on diverse ways. The posting of Permanent Secretaries has never been this politicized and arbitrary where there is no regards for competence and experience.
“It is common knowledge that Ministries are graded according to complexities and importance to the national growth and economy so much so that in the past there used to be the big Five including Ministries of Defense, Petroleum, Works and Housing, Foreign Affairs and Interior (formerly known as internal affairs). These ministries were exclusively reserved for those with experience and competence to handle, but in the recent postings, we see several new Permanent Secretaries posted to very complex ministries and we wonder if it is a deliberate attempt to promote inefficiencies in the present administration so as to ridicule His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” the group stated.
NCSCN wondered why Mr. Aduda, whom according to them has accomplished amazing feats and strategically repositioned the Ministry and Country in enviable place and path of international acclaim in the oil and gas majors, would be redeployed from the petroleum ministry for someone without his level of experience.
“Amb Gabriel Aduda became the very first Permanent Secretary to ever occupy the seat of OPEC Governor for Nigeria where his intellectual and diplomatic abilities were effectively deployed on the global stages, so much so that at the last Joint ministerial meeting of the OPEC member countries, he was unanimously appointed the Alternate Chairman for OPEC board of Governors for 2024 due to his proactivity, pragmatism and sterling leadership qualities hence, qualifying Nigeria for substantive Chairmanship of the Board of Governors in year 2025 according to OPEC tradition.
“In addition he is the current Board member representing Nigeria on the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) again the first ever Permanent Secretary to hold this position. Again he is the current Board Member representing Nigeria on the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO) another first ever held by a Permanent Secretary. All these he achieved within one year in Office as Permanent Secretary Ministry of Petroleum Resources. Having served as Permanent Secretary for over 5 years running across OSGF and 3 Ministries with very impeccable results too numerous to mention.
“Amb Aduda obviously has acquired remarkable experiences and built enough capacity to handle affairs of a mainstream and sensitive Ministry that is of great importance to the National Economy, which is clearly shown in his impressive performances in just one year. Staff of the ministry have testified that they have never had such dynamic and results driven leadership as his. We therefore do not understand why such impeccable track record should be sacrificed on the alters of political mediocrity in clear violation of all that the civil service holds dear by removing and replacing him with a first time newly appointed Permanent Secretary and who has only one year to retire from service. What exactly could be the sinister motive for this unholy action?” the group queried.
They wondered why Amb Gabriel Tanimu Aduda will be replaced as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources by a 59years old, who has only one year to retire from service, saying the stability and progress being made in the Ministry would be disrupted by the Office of the Head of Service by the redeployment of Amb Gabriel Tanimu Aduda
They called on the Head of service and President Bola Tinubu, to reconsider the decision of the redeployment, insisting that they will occupy the office of the Head of service if the appeal is not heeded to.
“On a final note, we appeal to the Head of Service and the Presidency to urgently reconsider this redeployment, and retain Amb Gabriel Tanimu Aduda as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources for positive continuity.
“The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria, has resolved to occupy the Office of the Head of Service and National Assembly indefinitely if our appeals fall on deaf ears.”