Abuja – The Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Dr Samuel Ortom, has promised radical steps to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor in the country.

Ortom, who made the promise in Abuja on Tuesday when he assumed office, said: “I have tasted poverty, therefore, I will do something radical to bring succour to Nigerians.

“I am prepared to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor in this country,’’ he said, adding that he was happy to be part of President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda.

Ortom promised to work with the staff of the ministry to translate the president’s campaign promise of providing the dividends of democracy to the people.

He said the government planned to achieve its objectives through public private partnership and urged the staff to assist him in actualising the objective.

The minister, who described himself as a grassroots politician, promised to bring his wealth of experience to bear in his new assignment.

Dr Abubakar Mohammed, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, who welcomed the minister, pledged the support and cooperation of the staff members to enable him to succeed in his assignment.

The  Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga, assumed duty on Monday.

The Ministry of Trade and Investment was formerly known as the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. (NAN)