Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
The federal government has allayed fear of mass retrenchment in the implementation of the Oronsaye Report, which seeks to streamline government agencies and parastatals.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris gave the assurance on Wednesday at the fourth edition of the Ministerial Press Briefing Series.
He said government had no intention of retrenching workers or throwing people into the labour market but to reduce cost and also improve efficiency in service delivery.
Idris said the implementation of the report, which had been on the shelf for about 11 years, was a clear demonstration of President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to fiscal prudence and responsible governance by championing a comprehensive review of the government‘s commissions, agencies, and parastatals.
He noted that the approval for the implementation of the Orosanye Report, which followed a very careful review, was to ensure that essential services were not compromised and that the needs of the citizens were adequately catered for while putting the interests of the nation first and foremost.
“Through the implementation of Oronsaye’s Report, President Tinubu aims to achieve significant cost savings by eliminating duplication of functions, streamlining administrative processes, and optimizing resource allocation. This proactive approach will enable the government to operate more efficiently while maintaining the quality and delivery of services to the Nigerian people,” he said.
He stressed that the measures were not undertaken in isolation but as part of a broader strategy to reform and modernize government institutions by leveraging technology, promoting innovation, and fostering a culture of performance and accountability across all sectors.
The minister, who said the benefits of the reforms spearheaded by the president were already emerging in various sectors, stressed that reports from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicated that Nigeria witnessed a GDP growth of 3.46 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2023 as against 2.54 per cent recorded in the third quarter of 2023.
He asserted that the NBS report also stated that capital importation rose to 66 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2023, reversing a 36 per cent decline in the third quarter.
Idris stated that Petrol importation had been reduced by 50 per cent since the removal of fuel subsidy, while the Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index crossed the 100,000 mark – its highest ever.
He described the achievements so far recorded in the economy as not merely a stroke of luck but mainly due to the pragmatic reforms initiated by the President, which inspired investor confidence in the Nigerian economy.
According to the minister, the President had also given a directive for the design of a Social Security Unemployment Programme to cater for the unemployed graduates as well as the setting up of a Social Consumer Credit Scheme to boost the purchasing power of Nigerians, as they make adjustments in view of the temporary economic hardship.
