By Fatimatu Abubakar, the nominee for Information Minister, has voiced concerns regarding the delay in the approval of new ministers.
Abubakar stated that the delay is hampering government operations and impacting her capacity, as well as that of her colleagues in other ministries, to effectively execute their duties.
During an interview with Bernard Avle on The Point of View program on Citi TV, Abubakar underscored the challenges she encounters in fulfilling her ministerial responsibilities.
She highlighted the backlog of tasks that remain unresolved due to her restricted ability to operate in her ministerial role.
“We have been waiting and I think it’s a long wait and it affects the government’s business, because until about two weeks ago when we got letters to go as representatives, So many ministries like my place, where both the substantive nominations and deputy are new, it means you can’t do anything; the ministry is orphaned and there are certain decisions that go beyond what administrators can do.
“They will need political direction or from the executives. A lot has been waiting on the table for long,” the information minister-designate stated.
In response to a query about whether the delay in her approval is causing frustration, Abubakar acknowledged, “it has.”
Several newly nominated ministers, having completed the vetting procedures, are still awaiting approval from Parliament.
Currently, a stalemate persists between the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, and the Presidency regarding the latter’s appeal to Parliament to halt the progression of the anti-gay bill. Consequently, this impasse has prompted the Speaker to withhold approval for the new ministers.
However, the Speaker of Parliament has recently declared that Parliament will reconvene on Friday, May 17th.
