JOS – A Former Commissioner in Plateau, Mr Nankin Bagudu, has advised the incoming administration to revisit the Steve Oronsaye report on the public service so as to curb wastage.
The report, submitted to the Federal Government in 2011, had suggested the trimming and merger of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to reduce waste and duplication of functions.
Bagudu told newsmen in Jos that the “staggering number of MDAs’’ was not good for effective deployment of resources.
“If you go to the federal service, you will find that some ministries have 77 departments and agencies; others; like agriculture, have 66.
“The Science and Technology ministry also has more than 46 and that number would be significantly reduced if the report was implemented,” he said.
The former commissioner decried the waste in governance, saying more development would have been attained if there was no duplication in ministries and chief executive officers handling very similar functions.
While harping on the need for prudent management of resources, he advised the new government to be strict on corruption, pointing out that its pact with the masses was to fight it and install transparency.
Bagudu also advised the new leaders against striving to settle old scores with people perceived to be old enemies, saying that Nigerians were not interested in such acts that could derail focus.
“Nigerians have made their point very clear – they want a clean and honest government that will produce results.
“It is therefore incumbent on government to go for the best heads to do a good job for Nigerians and Nigeria,’’ he declared.
The former commissioner also counseled the new government against being afraid to take very hard decisions, noting that such was necessary as Nigerians would be ready for such sacrifices toward a better country.
“The country is sick and that means it has to undergo surgery to be well again; its citizens must brace up for the pains of such sacrifices, certain that the gains will follow,” he said.
Bagudu further advised Nigerians to be patient with the new government, pointing out that some years may be required to stabilise the polity before the “mass harvest of tangible gains.’’
