. Receives ‘Draft White Paper’ on Oronsaye reports
The Federal Government yesterday expressed concerns over the high cost of governance in Nigeria amid increasing competing societal demands.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, made the observation in Abuja while receiving the ‘Draft White Paper’ on the Steve Oronsaye report, submitted by the Committee on Restructuring/Rationalisation of Federal Parastatals, Agencies and Commissions, created between 2012 and 2021.
He said: “It is important to note that the high cost of governance in Nigeria and revenue challenges being experienced in the midst of competing societal demands are of serious concern to the Federal Government. Therefore, all that is necessary would be done to ensure that no sector is neglected.
“I have no doubt in my mind that the knowledge, experience and expertise members brought to bear in the cause of the assignment would guide the Federal Government in addressing the high cost of governance and other associated problems.”
He stressed the need to develop diverse sources of revenue for the government as well as encourage some of its agencies to be self-funding; the principle of building strong institutions to guarantee service delivery to the people; and the imperative to grow the economy, create employment and stay on the critical path to achieve development objectives.
It is important to note that the high cost of governance in Nigeria and revenue challenges being experienced in the midst of competing societal demand are of serious concern to the Federal Government.
Draft White Paper
Commenting on the Draft White Paper, Mustapha said: “I want to assure the Committee and Nigerians that the Draft White Paper will be given all the necessary attention and that appropriate action will be taken on the various recommendations contained in the report.”
He also hinted that some of the recommendations would be considered as “low hanging fruits that would be implemented immediately after approval.”
He commended the Committee, headed Ebele Okeke, a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, for the completion of the assignment within the six-week timeline given to them.
In carrying out the assignment, the White Paper Drafting Committee said it considered the current economic challenges and the requirement for the government to utilize resources more efficiently to reduce cost of governance.
The committee was to come up with the white paper reports of the committees inaugurated by the federal government in November 2021 to consider the Orosanye reports.
The main aim of the process was to further demonstrate the federal government’s commitment to reposition the public service for effective service delivery.
