Governor Yusuf announces merges of two ministries

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has merged the Ministry of Water Resources and that of the Environment and Climate Change into the Ministry of Water Resources, Environment, and Climate Change.

This was contained in a circular signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Umar Faruq-Ibrahim, on Monday.

He said the decision was part of the ongoing efforts to enhance administrative efficiency, improve coordination of policies, and optimise resource utilisation in the management of environment and water-related matters in the state.

Faruq-Ibrahim said the new ministry would operates two directorates to ensure effective service delivery and maintain sectoral focus.

He listed them as the Directorate of Water Resources and Directorate of the Environment and Climate Change. 

He said: “Each directorate shall be headed by a permanent secretary, and both shall report directly to the Commissioner of the ministry.

“All departments, agencies, and units previously under the defunct ministries are hereby directed to realign their operations, reporting structure, and correspondences in accordance with this new arrangement.”

According to Faruq-Ibrahim, the transition process is with immediate effect, adding that relevant stakeholders are expected to cooperate fully to ensure a seamless integration.

He said further guidelines on operational modalities would be communicated in due course. 

The document also quoted Dahir Muhammad-Hashim, the Commissioner of the new ministry, as expressing readiness to deliver on the assigned tasks. 

Muhammad-Hashim said: “I am deeply honoured by the confidence reposed in me to lead this newly integrated ministry, and drive the realisation of its mandate in service to the people of Kano State. 

“I am fully conscious that this is not an easy responsibility, bringing together two vital sectors with distinct but interconnected mandates requires commitment, coordination, and hard work.”

He reiterated commitment to a seamless transition to strengthen service delivery in the sectors. 

He added: “We will continue to work diligently to improve environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and water resource management in line with the development vision of the administration of Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf.”