CurrentReport Blog In a recent development, Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his directive to implement the Steve Orasanye report.
Tinubu’s decision, announced on Monday, signifies a significant step towards a leaner government structure by merging certain agencies and abolishing others, as recommended by the Presidential Committee on the Rationalisation and Restructuring of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions, and Agencies.
Obi, in a statement released via his official channels on Wednesday morning, expressed his approval of the move while also highlighting its overdue nature.
The former governor of Anambra State stressed the importance of not only implementing the Orasanye report but also reducing the overall cost of governance at all levels. He urged the government to redirect resources from extravagant expenditures towards critical sectors like education and healthcare, essential for poverty alleviation and national development.
Moreover, Obi called upon political leaders to exemplify their commitment to the nation’s progress by making personal sacrifices and prioritizing public interest over personal comfort.
However, he cautioned against rushing the implementation process, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of the federal bureaucracy to ensure its effectiveness. He particularly underscored the potential impact on civil servants and the necessity for careful consideration to mitigate any adverse consequences.
The statement reads; “I have received several text messages from people wanting to know if I would have implemented the Oronsaye Report, which full implementation has just been directed by the President.
“In response to their questions, I would like to refer everyone to my Manifesto and my response to similar questions during my campaigns.
“On the 5th of October, 2022 at Havard University, I was asked: “Will you implement the Oronsaye Report?” and I responded in the affirmative. I went further to explain that implementing the report is one of the best ways to make governance efficient, cost-effective, and productive.
“Being in opposition does not warrant blind and thoughtless criticism. Whenever the government takes the right decision, we should agree and if need be, propose related or even better ideas to move the nation forward.
“I have always been an advocate of the 3 critical components of the Oronsaye Report, which are: i) drastically cutting the cost of governance; ii) eliminating the overlapping of responsibilities to ensure that responsibilities are appropriately domiciled; and iii) increasing efficiency and effectiveness, which will increase productivity.
“Although the implementation of the report is long overdue, its implementation is a welcome development so long as the decision is informed by these principles. Beyond implementing the Oronsaye Report, the government should go further and cut the cost of governance across the board.
“Having found it imperative to implement the report, the government should now do away with the bogus and needless wastages of our scarce resources on frivolous issues, and deploy such funds to the critical areas of Education, Health, and pulling people out of poverty.
“However, we must not rush to implement the Oronsaye Report just because those that will be directly affected are mostly civil servants. A very deep understanding of the workings of the Federal bureaucracy will be required to effectively implement the report.
