FG Inaugurates White Paper Implementation Cmmittee On Restructuring Of Agencies, Parastatals
Nigeria Government on Tuesday in Abuja inaugurated the white paper implementation committee on the restructuring and rationalisation of its agencies, parastatals and commissions.
Inaugurating the Committee, President Goodluck Jonathan, who described the work of the committee as ‘urgent and important’, assured Nigerians of government’s intention to faithfully implement the decisions in the White Paper.
Represented by Vice-President Namadi Sambo, the President urged the members of the committee to pursue their assignment with the vigour, urgency and patriotism.
“In response to the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Restructuring and Rationalisation, the Federal Government set up a White Paper Drafting Committee, headed by the Attorney General of the Federation.
“The White Paper on the Report of the Presidential Committee on Restructuring and Rationalisation of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies was gazetted and issued in March 2014.
“Upon the publication of the white paper, Mr President assured Nigerians of government’s intention to faithfully implement the decisions contained therein.
“Further to that intention, Mr President has kindly approved the constitution of the implementation committee of the white paper.”
The President said the ultimate goal of the exercise was not only to reduce cost of governance.
He said it was also to ensure that the affected agencies, parastatals and commissions delivered effective and efficient services to Nigerians in line with government’s transformation agenda.
He also challenged the Committee to key into the ongoing study of the successes of some ‘world-class government agencies’ by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms for others to emulate.
“I am therefore pleased to learn that the Bureau of Public Service Reforms is currently conducting a study on some of our world-class parastatals and agencies.
“Such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service, the Debt Management Office, the Bureau of Public Procurement, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Central Bank of Nigeria, among others, to ascertain the reasons for their success, in order to pass on the lessons to other parastatals and agencies.
“This work is very worthwhile and government looks forward to its completion within the shortest time possible.”
He said the terms of reference of the committee were: to exercise overall responsibility for the implementation of the White Paper on the Restructuring and Rationalisation of Federal Government Agencies, Parastatals and Commissions.
To design guidelines, ensure effective coordination and monitoring of the implementation process.
Other included supervising, considering and deciding on the recommendations of the four sub-committees on the implementation of the white paper.
The committee is also to advise government on any other matter(s) that would further facilitate the achievement of the key objectives for the restructuring and rationalisation of Federal Government agencies, parastatals and commissions.
Responding on behalf of members of the committee, its chairman and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, pledged to do everything possible to carry out the assignment to the expectation of Nigerians.
Other members of the committee are the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice (Vice Chairman), Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Ministers of Aviation, Industry, Trade and Investment, Science and Technology.
Others are the Ministers of Tourism, Culture & National Orientation, Education, Finance and Health.
Also included is the Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission, while the Director-General, Bureau of Public Service Reforms, will serve as the Secretary. (NAN)