By Milcah Tanimu

The House of Representatives has called upon President Bola Tinubu to meticulously review the Stephen Oronsaye Report and other critical reports prior to their implementation, particularly those aimed at revitalizing the Nigerian civil service.

Established in 2012 by former President Goodluck Jonathan, the Presidential Committee on the rationalization and restructuring of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions, and Agencies, led by former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Stephen Oronsaye, advocated for the elimination and consolidation of 220 out of the existing 541 government agencies.

During a recent session, Members of the House, including Kama Nkemkanma, Olumide Osoba, and Gaza Gbefi, emphasized that the Oronsaye Report suggested reducing statutory agencies from 263 to 161, abolishing 38 agencies, reverting 14 to departments within ministries, and conducting management audits of 89 agencies, including capturing biometric data of staff, as well as ceasing government funding of professional bodies/councils. Implementation of these recommendations, they asserted, could potentially save over N862 billion between 2012 and 2015.

However, they highlighted that the White Paper committee established by Jonathan’s administration rejected most recommendations