The National Economic Council on Thursday advised the Federal Government to look at the Steven Oransanye report on merger of government’s agencies in efforts to cut the cost of running government in the face of current economic realities.This is even as state governors were once again urged to cut the cost of governance at their level by reducing convoys, frequent travels, patronage of private jets, number of aides even their dress codes.
Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who briefed alongside Nkem Okeke, Anambra State Deputy Governor, and the Minister of Budget and
National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma after the six hours NEC meeting at the Aso Rock said taking obvious steps to cut the cost of
governance will send a message to the citizens that the pain is felt by all.
“At the federal level, we are suggesting looking at the orosanye report that suggested merger and reduce publications of agencies” he
said.
The governor noted that the cost of running FG’s 580 agencies was too much adding that “there is a need to look at those that are duplicating and merge them. That is a report published since 2012.
Even within MDAs, we need to consider merging departments. We may not need as many departments as we have”.According to him, “We are spending too much on running the government than on goods and services in serving the population”.
The 800 page Oransaye report submitted to President Goodluck Jonathan recommended the scrapping of 38 agencies, merger of 52 and conversion
of 14 to departments in ministries. It recommended that statutory agencies be reduced to cut the cost of governance.
The Muhammadu Buhari administration had earlier this year constituted a committee to look into the implementation of the report.
On the other hand NEC discussed the lack of empathy by some state governors who complain of lack of funds yet live extravagantly. The
governors in turn agreed to cut down on their lifestyle.
“One of the key issue we raise is leadership because when leaders are seen to sacrifice it becomes easy to convince followers to accept somethings.
“You are saying that things are tough, the prices of oil has collapsed but the people are seeing you and your family traveling first class,
it is cynical they will not believe you. But if as leaders we show that we are also going through pain then it becomes easier to handle,” El-Rufai said.
The states also agreed to inject more technology savvy, young people into the civil service. According to El-Rufai in his state for instance, old people in the age bracket of 47 years who are afraid of IT gadgets are in employment while no young person has been employed
since 2008.
The governors through the platform of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) also at the council meeting agreed to set up a committee to mediate in
the Niger Delta crisis which has continued to cut oil production, admitting that the Niger Delta states were the worst hit by the crisis.
“Governors also raised concerns on the Niger Delta situation. You know we budgeted that we will be producing 2.2million barrels of oil per
day. At a point, oil production collapsed to one million barrels per day.
“This has significantly affected the nation’s revenue and the largest hit were the Niger Delta states that get the bulk of their revenue from the nation because the less they produce, the less they have.
“The Vice-President told us that the Federal Government is willing and will work with the Nigeria Governors Forum to ensure that the problem
is solved. The governors have essentially opened another platform of committee of governors to wade into this matter and use the knowledge
of local intelligence to help” the Kaduna state governor said.
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
