News

Reps Want President Tinubu To Comprehensively Review Orasanya Report

Published

11 months ago

February 29, 2024

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has called on President Bola Tinubu to comprehensively review the “2012 Orosanye Report”, “Goni Aji Report” which reviewed Orosanye Report, the White Paper released by the President Jonathan administration, the Ama Pepple White Paper and the Ebele Okeke White Paper in line with current realities, while considering implementable alternatives that are in tune with the current realities, and which at the same time would have minimum unintended consequences, impacts, implications and outcomes.

The Hosue also urged the Executive Arm of Government to develop and implement policies that will reposition the agricultural sector, solid mineral sector and informal sectors which will serve as alternatives to those that may be laid off consequentially while at the same time spurring economic growth.

This was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance on the “Call On The President To Comprehensively Review The 2012 Oronsaye Report, All Other Related Reports And White Papers Before Implementation”, by Rep. Kama Nkemkanma, Rep. Olumide Osoba and Rep. Jonathan Gaza Gbefwi.

In his lead debate, Rep bello Shinkafi, reminded that in 2012, the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, set up the Presidential Committee on the Rationalisation and Restructuring of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies, headed by Stephen Oronsaye, a retired federal civil servant and former Head of Service of the Federation;

The motion reads: “Aware that the Oronsaye Committee, after their painstaking assignment, recommended the scrapping and merging of 220 out of the then existing 541 government agencies.

“Also aware that the Committee’s 800-page report noted that the government’s parastatals and agencies’ functions are overlapping and therefore recommended the reduction of statutory agencies from 263 to 161, the abolition of 38 agencies, the merger of 52 and the reversion of 14 to departments in ministries and the management audit of 89 agencies capturing biometric features of staff as well as the discontinuation of government funding of professional bodies/councils;

“Again aware that the Oronsaye Report said then that if the committee’s recommendation was implemented, the government would be saving over N862 billion between 2012 and 2015 with a breakdown which showed that about N124.8 billion would be reduced from agencies proposed for abolition; about N100.6 billion from agencies proposed for mergers; about N6.6 billion from professional bodies; N489.9 billion from universities; N50.9 billion from polytechnics; N32.3 billion from colleges of education and N616 million from boards of federal medical centres;

“Further aware that after the committee’s report, the White Paper committee set up by Jonathan’s administration rejected most of the recommendations, while those accepted were not implemented”.

The lawmaker further noted that in November 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari administration inaugurated two committees; one of the committees Chaired by Goni Aji, a retired Head of Civil Service of the Federation, was to review the Orosanye report and the second committee, chaired by Ama Pepple, also a retired Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, was constituted to review agencies created between 2014 and 2021;

“Also notes that upon submission of their reports, the Muhammadu Buhariled Federal Government in July 2022 set up another committee chaired by Ebele Okeke, a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to produce a white paper on the reports;

“Worried that the full implementation of a report 12 years after it was first made, which ordinarily may be described as outdated, especially because of how dynamic the society, economy, polity, technology and all facets of our national life has been.

“The House is concerned that contrary to the assumption that the full implementation of the report would reduce cost of governance, with the current realities, the full implementation of the report will not substantially reduce the cost of governance as it does not reflect the current situation in the Public Service of the Federation.

“House is deeply worried that the full implementation of 2012 Oronsaye report in 2024 will certainly throw up unintended consequences, implications and outcomes”, the lawmakers added.

News

Kalu Leads House Delegation to Ogun for Condolence Visit

Published

2 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

…eulogizes late Onanuga, ex-speaker Bankole’s mother

By Gloria Ikibah

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, CON, has described the late Deputy Chief Whip, Rt. Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga, as an irreplaceable parliamentarian known for her vocal nature and friendly disposition.

Leading a delegation on behalf of the Speaker, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, Kalu visited Sagamu, Ogun State, on a condolence mission to the late Onanuga’s family.

Addressing the bereaved, he praised her dedication and influence, noting her unique presence in plenary sessions and unwavering support for her colleagues.

Kalu consoled her mother, Chief Mrs. Comfort Folashade Etutu, and her children, urging them to trust in God for comfort and strength. He assured the family of the House’s continued support and prayed against further untimely deaths in the household.

Earlier, Kalu led the delegation to Abeokuta for the fidau prayers of the late Mrs. Monsurat Atinuke Bankole, mother of former House Speaker Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole.

He lauded her sacrifices, which contributed to the success of her children, including the former Speaker’s contributions to the National Assembly.

News

N800bn Inadequate for Nigeria’s Road Projects, Minister Umahi Tell Lawmakers

Published

2 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has described the N800 billion allocated to his ministry in the proposed 2025 budget as grossly insufficient to address Nigeria’s growing road infrastructure needs.

Umahi stated this during the 2025 budget defence session held on Friday by the House Committee on Works, chaired by Rep. Akin Alabi.

Speaking candidly, Umahi called for an upward review of the ministry’s budgetary allocation, stressing that the current figure would barely make a dent in the nation’s road development agenda.

“We plead with you to help us. N800 billion cannot do anything for us. It cannot address our road needs, and so we plead with you to help us,” the Minister told the lawmakers.

Umahi who emphasised the importance of adequate funding to complete ongoing projects and initiate critical new ones across the country, also stressed that borrowing was a necessary step to bridge the infrastructure gap and stimulate economic growth.

The Minister underscored the potential economic impact of infrastructure development, stating that it would create jobs and boost local economies.

“When the nation is in recession, you have to borrow money and invest in infrastructure. That is how you emerge from a recession. Infrastructure is a catalyst for economic activities, and this hunger we talk about will become a thing of the past,” he explained.

“Food sellers, sand suppliers, gravel workers, and others will benefit. Support Mr. President, and let’s borrow money to build infrastructure so Nigeria can be great again,” he added.

In response, Chairman of the Committee, assured Umahi that the committee would summon the Minister of Finance and the Head of the Budget Office to clarify the rationale behind the ministry’s limited allocation.

The session also provided an opportunity for the Minister to address lawmakers’ concerns about the state of roads nationwide, with assurances that the government remains committed to completing ongoing projects.

News

NASS Joint Committee Suspends Fire Service Budget Over Irregularities

Published

3 hours ago

January 17, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The National Assembly Joint Committee on Interior has suspended the budget defence of the Federal Fire Service (FFS) following significant discrepancies in the agency’s 2024 budget performance and 2025 proposal.

At a hearing chaired by Senator Adams Oshiomhole and his counterpart from the House, Chaired by Abdullahi Aliyu Ahmed, lawmakers flagged irregularities, including contradictory figures and inadequate documentation.

The committee uncovered discrepancies in the procurement of firefighting trucks, with similar units priced at N1.5 billion in one instance and N2.5 billion in another, despite being from the same supplier and of identical specifications.

The FFS Controller General, Jaji Abdulganiyu Idris, attributed the difference to variations in tanker sizes but failed to provide adequate supporting documentation.

Senator Oshiomhole criticized the inconsistencies, stating, “This reeks of over-padding or over-invoicing. Your written submission does not align with your explanation, and we cannot overlook this.”

Lawmakers also raised concerns about unclear contract commitments and an outstanding payment of N603 billion for ongoing projects, which lacked proper specifications.

Oshiomhole emphasized fiscal responsibility, saying, “Every N10 wasted by MDAs adds up. Our duty is to ensure that every naira benefits Nigerians, especially the poor.”

The committee further queried the FFS over unverified revenue remittances. Idris presented manual receipts as evidence, but the lawmakers rejected them, demanding proper bank statements and confirmation from the Accountant-General’s office.

As a result, the committee stepped down the FFS budget defence, instructing the agency to rectify its submission. Oshiomhole warned, “Submit a revised presentation with accurate figures, or risk zero allocation in 2025.”

The decision underscores the lawmakers’ commitment to accountability and efficient use of public funds, urging the FFS to address the issues promptly to secure its funding.