Jonathan directs ministers, MDAs to submit handover notes Monday

President Goodluck Jonathan has directed all heads of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to submit their handover notes in preparation for the transition of government.

The handover notes, which are to be put together by ministers and other heads of parastatals, are to be submitted to Anyim Pius Anyim, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), by Monday, April 20, 2015.

This was disclosed by Patricia Akwashiki, minister of Information, while briefing journalists after the Council meeting, the first since the March 28 and April 11 elections.

The handover notes from the MDAs are to assist the transition committee of the Federal Government, chaired by Namadi Sambo, vice president, put together the final handover document for the

President. The committee already held its inaugural meeting earlier this week and had adjourned to April 20.

According to Akwashiki, the ministers would be expected to brief the President on inherited and ongoing projects, as well as their level of completion, adding that all pending contracts that required Presidential approval should be submitted by May 13.

“We are already in transition, so there is very little to report. When we discussed with the President in council, he emphasised on the need for all MDAs to submit their handover notes to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation by 20th of this month, that is next Monday.

“It is for the MDAs to submit their notes to the SGF who will handle the total package of the handing over to the incoming administration. It doesn’t mean that this is the exact note that will be passed on.

“ There is a format to follow, so it becomes easier for all the MDAs to follow the

template. If they do that, it will be easier for the President to compile everything. The formula is to ensure you submit everything before they pass it to the incoming government.

“That is not to say that governance has stopped; of course, we are in government until the day the president-elect takes oath of office,” she said.

ELIZABETH ARCHIBONG