Oronsaye report can’t be implemented without NASS input – Reps

The House of Representatives has said that the Oronsaye Committee report on restructuring and rationalisation of Federal Government establishments cannot override its verdict.

The Oronsaye report, first issued in 2012, seeks to reduce the number of departments and agencies of government.

Ibrahim Isiaka, Chairman, House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on the Restructuring of Government Agencies, Parastatals and Commissions, made the assertion at a public hearing in Abuja on Wednesday.

He allayed fears being expressed by some of the agencies, adding that there was nothing to fear in the restructuring as proposed by the Oronsaye White Paper.

He said that the committee would not act without going through due process, saying, “we are not going to scrap your head behind you”.

According to him, whatever the white paper said, the only institution that can decide on the scrapping of any agency, parastatals or commission is the National Assembly, by an Act of parliament

He said that there would be recommendations, but added that it must come through parliament.

Isiaka however assured some of the agencies, commission and parastatals that the lawmakers would treat every document justly.

“In any area we have to establish, we will and where we need to enact a law we will do that,” he said, adding, “We will invite all organisations where you will have the opportunity to speak.

“We assured you that many of the fears you are entertaining regarding laying off of staff, we will not allow that and look into your document.”

It would be recalled that President Bola Tinubu had issued a directive for the implementation of the Oronsaye Report, in what he described as his government’s move to cut the cost of governance.

The Federal Executive Council approved the full implementation of the Oronsaye Report on February 26, 2024.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, went on to inaugurate an eight-member implementation committee on March 7.

The committee was saddled with the responsibility of implementing recommendations in the report within 12 weeks.