Power Minister, Engr Sale Mamman
Have you met the Honourable Minister for Power, Engr. Sale
Mamman? I have, and nothing has made me more confident that President Muhammadu
Buhari has got his Man Friday in the power sector at last like the encounter.
Tall, regal and soft-spoken, you see the wheels practically
turning in the minister's head as he patiently listens to you. When he
responds, you are suddenly aware of his keen mind and the deep seated drive to
get things done at all costs.
Thus, one of the areas of strength for this minister is his
ability to deftly make tough decisions and carry them out with tact. And no one
ever sees him coming. Even in his native Taraba State, he is still something of
an enigma because he wasnt even among the first five names jostling to be
minister in the build up to the proverbial presidential list. Then, boom, there
he was, not just on the list but emerging arguably as the most powerful
minister. Some people are yet to catch their breath.
On a personal level, Ive experienced this surprise style
of his. For a man who havent met me in real life before appointing me an aide,
I respect his ability to identify good hands, hire them and set up an effective
team.
Up there is power house, this style has continued to
flourish where it matters most. Hes making the decisions that need to be made
and pushing through with reforms that would ultimately break the jinx. He is
casting out the demons of darkness with evangelical zeal. Hes binding all the
power of darkness and arresting all the forces that have kept the nation down
for too long.
The results are already showing. One thing he has already
succeeded in doing is giving the Ministry of Power a very clear direction.
Before his advent, the place was practically scattered as agencies ran on their
own. He has since centralised operations, restored discipline and bridged the
bureaucratic gap. A methodical worker, he is making progress on a daily basis
as he continues to set up technical teams, get the right persons and managing
crisis.
Above all, he is aware of the challenge: the need to finish
all the outstanding project principally the Mambilla Hydro Power project; the
need to confront merchants of darkness; the war against unpatriotic forces; the
confrontation with sacked demons of darkness; and the need to just bring light.
He tells me hes aware of his place in history and the promise Nigerians are
eagerly waiting for. And thats all the motivation he requires.
Bello is SA Media to the Minister for Power.
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