Nigerians in support of MDAs merger proposal – NOIPolls

Nigerians are in support of the president’s proposed merger of some government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and his decision to appoint ministers in September, according to a recent survey by NOIPolls, a leading Nigerian polling services firm.

Majority of Nigerians surveyed were mainly positive, as 72 percent indicated support for the proposed merger.

“This position was mostly maintained by residents of the North-West zone (80%). However, 28 percent of Nigerians, mostly from the South-East zone and South-West zone (38% each) responded negatively, saying they do not support the merging of some government agencies,” the report said.

A large proportion of Nigerians surveyed (16%) suggested that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should be merged with the ‘Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).

Other suggestions include the merging of ‘Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’ with the ‘Ministry of Water Resources’ (8%), the ‘Police Service Commission’ with the ‘Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)’ (7%), as well as the ‘Ministry of Aviation’ with the ‘Ministry of Transport’ (7%), among other suggestions.

Analysts are clamouring for the implementation of the recommendations of the transition committee, which the president set up to slash the number of ministries from the present 42 to 19 with a view of saving cost and making them more effective and responsive to the needs of Nigerians.

Also, according to the polls, a majority of Nigerians (87%) consider September 2015 as a good time for the President to appoint his ministers even as they believe that ‘he needs time to select the best persons.’

The poll revealed that the North-West region accounted for the largest proportion of respondents who indicated September 2015 as a good time whereas, the South-South region accounted for the largest proportion of respondents who do not consider September a good time for ministerial appointment.