In a significant move, President Bola Tinubu has instructed the full implementation of the Oronsaye Report, a long-debated proposal aimed at streamlining government bureaucracy and reducing overlapping functions within various agencies.
This decision, announced after the Federal Executive Council meeting on Monday, is expected to result in mergers, subsumptions, scrappings, and relocations of several government bodies.
“In a very bold move today, this administration, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, consistent again with his courage to take very far-reaching decisions in the interest of Nigerians, has taken a decision to implement the so called Orosanye Report.
“Now, what that means is that a number of agencies, commissions, and some departments have actually been scrapped, some have been merged, while others have been subsumed. Others, of course, have also been moved from some ministries to others where government feels they will operate better.
“Like I said, this is a very far-reaching decision. It is aimed, one, to fine-tune or to restructure government operations as a whole. Secondly, it’s in line also with decision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reduce the cost of governance”, the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris said.
Key Points:
- Order for Implementation: President Tinubu has directed the complete implementation of the Oronsaye Report, a recommendation initially issued in 2011.
- Restructuring Measures: The implementation will involve:
- Mergers: Combining certain agencies to achieve economies of scale and operational efficiency.
- Subsumptions: Placing some agencies under the purview of existing ministries for better coordination.
- Scrappings: Eliminating redundant or overlapping agencies deemed unnecessary.
- Relocations: Shifting agencies to different ministries where their functions might be aligned more effectively.
- Implementation Timeline: A committee has been formed to oversee the implementation process within a 12-week timeframe.
Analysis:
The implementation of the Oronsaye Report has been a contentious issue for several years, with advocates arguing for its potential to improve efficiency and save costs, while critics expressed concerns about potential job losses and disruption of current operations.
Unresolved Issues:
- The specific agencies affected by each restructuring measure remain unclear, creating uncertainty for involved employees and stakeholders.
- The potential impact on government efficiency, cost savings, and service delivery is yet to be determined.
- Questions regarding potential job losses and transitional support for affected employees need to be addressed.
Moving Forward:
The government’s decision to fully implement the Oronsaye Report marks a significant step towards restructuring government agencies. The coming weeks and months will be crucial in observing the specific measures undertaken, their implementation details, and the overall impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of government operations.
