Cost Cutting:Gov. Aregbesola Reforms Government, Reduces Ministry

The Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has notified the state House of Assembly of the restructuring of the state’s machinery of government reducing the state’s ministries to 12 in the process.

It has also announced the creation of a new ministry while merging some existing ones.In a letter of notification forwarded to the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Najeem Folasayo Salaam, Governor Aregbesola stated that while there will be 12 ministries, nine agencies and bureaus will be under his office for direct supervision.The Governor stated in his letter, which was dated January 21, 2016, that the decision to restructure was arrived at after a reappraisal of the machinery of government.The letter was titled: “Notification of the Restructuring of Some Existing Ministries and Creation of a New Ministry in the State of Osun.”

The 12 ministries listed in the letter to the House of Assembly are:

1. Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Youths Engagement

2. Ministry of Industries, Commerce, Cooperatives and Empowerment

3. Ministry of Economic Planning, Budget and Development

4. Ministry of Education, Science and Technology

5. Ministry of Environment, Sanitation and Physical Planning

6. Ministry of Finance

7. Ministry of Health

8. Ministry of Information, Home Affairs, Tourism and Culture,

9. Ministry of Justice

10. Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, Water Resources, and Community Affairs

11. Ministry of Women, Children, and Social Affairs

12. Ministry of Works and Transport.

The letter also listed nine agencies and bureaus that will be operating directly under the office of the Governor.

The agencies are:

1. Office of Regional Integration

2. State of Osun Sports Council

3. Department of Social and Grassroots Mobilization and Guidance

4. Office of Policy Coordination

5. Osun Job Centre

6. Bureau of Lands

7. Pilgrims Welfare Board (Christian Wing)

8. Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslim Wing)

9. Office of Forestry, Natural and Mineral Resources.

Aregbesola urged the Speaker to communicate the development to members of the House.

He also explained that the decision was taken to reduce the cost of governance as well as enhance service delivery.