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.
Rep. Ibrahim Isiaka, the Chairman, ad hoc committee on the restructuring of government agencies, parastatals and commission said this at the public hearing in Abuja on Wednesday.
He allayed fear being expressed by some of the agencies, adding that there was nothing to fear in the restructuring as proposed by the Oransanya white paper.
He said that the committee would not act without going through due process, saying, “we are not going to scrap 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 which is 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, commission 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 has 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 Feb 26.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, went on to inaugurate an eight-member Committee on March 7.
The committee was saddled with the responsibility of implementing recommendations in the report within 12 weeks.
Meanwhile, Dr Okhai, Ajingi, National President, Directors Guild of Nigeria and Chairman Federation of Registered Nollywood Guilds and Association called for the preservation of Nigeria Film and Video Censored Board autonomy.
He said that this would safeguard the future of Nollywood, which he described as a vital cultural economica asset.
“By upholding the NFCVB’s independence, the committee can ensure that Nigeria cinema thrive, entertain and inspire audience both domestically and internationally. (NAN
Don’t Scrap PTAD
Meanwhile, The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has appealed to the Federal Government not to scrap the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) in its implementation of the Oronsaye report.
Mr Godwin Abumisi, NUP President made the appeal in a memorandum presented at a public hearing on Wednesday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the public hearing was organised by the House of Representatives Special Ad-Hoc Committee on the Restructuring of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies.
Abumisi, represented by Mr Asen Sambe, Vice President of NUP, North Central, said the appeal was imperative because the union was apprehensive of the fate of the only agency responsible for the welfare and well-being of its members.
According to him, scrapping PTAD would spell doom for pensioners across the country.
“The pensioners’ union as a body wishes to strongly appeal to the Federal Government through this platform of public hearing that PTAD should be spared of the sledgehammer of being scrapped, merged or subsumed under any ministry as contemplated/speculated.
“PTAD had recorded commendable successes, and indeed rekindled the hope of the hitherto hopeless pensioners in their seamless efforts to make life better for the vulnerable pensioners.
“Therefore, given the above scenario, it will amount to returning to the “dark days” of agony and pains, if PTAD is caught in this web of restructuring, or eventually conceded to any parent ministry for supervision, with no clear-cut objective or direction,”
“As the committee on the review, the union wishes to crave your indulgence to save pensioners from going back to the horrible nightmare of the old order of oppression, depression and hopelessness,” he said.
Abumisi stressed that the transfer of pensioners’ matters and administration to PTAD in 2013 had addressed major challenges of retirees
He added that, as partners in progress, and close watchers of the activities of the directorate, they could proudly beat their chests to say without fear of contradiction that PTAD had done well over the years.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the NUP, however, gave alternative prayers in the event the federal government insisted on scrapping PTAD.
“If PTAD cannot skip or escape the scrapping or the merger bombshell, the union is of the strong opinion that the best place to merge it with, for safe landing, is the National Pension Commission (Pencom).
“We so much believe and trust that it has the manpower, the technical know-how and the capacity to absorb it for effective management,” Abumisi said.
NAN reports PTAD is the legally recognised body that pays the gratuity, monthly pensions and other retirement benefits of members under the Defined Benefits Scheme (DBS)
The Oronsaye report on MDA’s restructuring had recommended that PTAD should be scrapped and its functions taken over by the Federal Ministry of Finance. (NAN)
