The House of Representatives says the Stephen Oronsaye Committee report on restructuring and rationalisation of Federal Government parastatals, commissions and agencies cannot override its verdict.
The report, which is popularly known as ‘Oronsaye report was first issued in 2012, sought to reduce the numbers of departments and agencies of government.
The Chairman, Ad Hoc Committee on the restructuring of government agencies, parastatals and commission, Rep. Ibrahim Isiaka, said this at the public hearing in Abuja, yesterday.
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 scrape your head behind you.”
According to him, “whatever the white paper, the only institution that can tamper with the scraping 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.
He, however, assured some of the agencies, commissions and parastatals that “the Lakers would treat every document justly
According to him, “in any area we have to establish, we will and where we need to enact a law we will do that. The committee assured the agencies of fair hearing, stating that, “we will invite all organisations where you will have the opportunity to speak.”
“We assured you that many of the fear 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 issued a directive to implement the long-held Oronsaye committee report in what he describes 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.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, went on to inaugurate an eight-member committee on March 7. (NAN)
