In a significant move to curb excessive government spending and enhance operational efficiency, the Federal Government inaugurated a committee on Thursday tasked with executing the recommendations outlined in the Stephen Oronsaye Report.
This development comes after the government’s approval on February 28, 2024, to implement select recommendations from the comprehensive report aimed at restructuring and rationalizing Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies, and Commissions.
The committee, spearheaded by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume, has been given a 12-week timeframe to submit its detailed plan for the implementation of the Oronsaye Report. This marks a crucial step, as the approval for implementation arrives twelve years after the initial submission of the 800-page report.
The Oronsaye Report proposed a substantial overhaul, suggesting the reduction of 263 statutory agencies to 161, scrapping 38 agencies, merging 52, and reverting 14 to departments within various ministries. The overarching goal is to streamline governance, cut down on redundancies, and enhance overall efficiency within the government structure.
Speaking at the inauguration, SGF George Akume emphasized the government’s commitment to reducing the cost of governance and streamlining efficiency across the governance value chain. The committee’s guidelines, as outlined by Akume, include a thorough review of current mandates, identification of redundancies, definition of strategic objectives, and engagement with key stakeholders to gather input and feedback.
The committee comprises key figures such as the Attorney General of the Federation/Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Minister of Budget & Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu; Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Folasade Yemi-Esan; and Special Adviser to the President, Policy & Coordination, Usman Bala, among others. Their responsibilities involve obtaining necessary approvals, effectively communicating revised mandates, and monitoring implementation to identify any issues or challenges.
This move reflects a concerted effort by the Federal Government to optimize its organizational structure, align mandates with strategic objectives, and foster a more cost-effective and efficient governance framework.
The 12-week deadline underscores the urgency and commitment to prompt implementation, marking a pivotal moment in the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance efficiency and cut down on unnecessary expenditures.
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