FG inaugurates boards of five parastatals

[Mirror]

The Federal Government has inaugurated the board of fi ve parastatals of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment. The parastatals are the Consumer Protection Council; National Automotive Council; Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency; the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission and the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority.

The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Samuel Ortom who inaugurated the board in Abuja at the weekend, admonished them to discharge their duties with utmost sense of responsibility.

He expressed optimism that their appointment would further enhance the overall mandate of the ministry in addressing the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said, "A careful look at the composition of the Boards shows that most of the members are not only knowledgeable and highly experienced but are also key players in their various fi elds in the Public and Private Sector of the economy.

"This is defi nitely a great advantage to the agencies concerned as they will be able to benefi t, not only from the tremendous goodwill of their board members, but also from their wealth of deep knowledge."

Ortom however, warned the board members to refrain from interfering with the day to day operation of their respective agencies, stressing that their appointment was only on part time basis.

He said no chairman or board member would be entitled to an offi cial vehicle on permanent basis adding that the same applies for offi ce or residential accommodation.

"May I seize this opportunity to remind you that boards of parastatals are responsible for setting out broad economic, fi nancial, operational administrative guidelines and targets for their various agencies.

"They are concerned with policy issues, monitoring of institutional projects and ensuring that the parastatals mandates are realized.

"You are therefore enjoined to adhere strictly to the provisions of the enabling Acts of your Agencies as well as fi nancial regulations and guidelines on administrative procedures.

"May I emphasise that your appointment is on part-time basis only. As such, you are not expected to interfere or participate in the day-to-day running of your respective agencies.

"No chairman or board member is entitled to an offi cial vehicle on permanent basis. Same goes for offi ce or residential accommodation. In addition, you are enjoined to comply with the provisions of extant circulars governing your tenure/appointment, he counseled.

The board of SMEDAN is headed by Col. Shehu Ibrahim (Rtd.) for SMEDAN as Air Comdre. I.D. Nwadkon (Rtd.),heads the CPC, Abdulkadir Saleh for NAC, Ibrahim Bio for NIPC, and Cairo Ojougbo for NEPZA.

Source: FG inaugurates boards of five parastatals