A don, Dr Lukman Oyelami, has urged the Federal Government to enforce policies favourable to personnel in government Ministries, parastatals and Agencies, to stem impunity and corruption in the Federal Public Service.
Oyelami, a Lecturer in the Department of Economics at the University of Lagos, made the call in an interview with DayBreak on Friday.
He said the federal government must begin to respect the framework of the institutions rather than the heads of the institutions, to ensure discipline.
Oyelami, however, expressed optimism that governments at all levels should be able to develop the required political and economic will to be able to tackle the challenges facing the nation.
“The challenges for the governments of Nigeria are many but they are not insurmountable, provided there is both the political and economic will.
“All that needs to be done is to ensure that there is institutional discipline, where set rules are obeyed to the letter.
“The principle is to have persons in government departments respecting the framework of the institutions, rather than the heads of the institutions.
“This does not mean that the heads of the Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) will not matter in the scheme but there should be respect for the ideas and ideals which the institutions represent.
“That way, the issue of corruption will be adequately addressed because in those good old days in the MDAs, it was a public shame for a civil servant to be accused of corruptive actions that could lead to such a person being ostracized,’’ he said.
The economist emphasised the importance of training and civic responsibilities which must be well structured to enable every government worker exude pride in the delivery of his duties, as well as exhibit empathy to those requiring his services.
This, he said, would remove impunity and give the worker a sense of pride and the assurance of a good life after retirement.
“The worker must be paid an adequate wage to ensure family safety and assurance of a good life after retirement.’’ he said.
Oyelami, therefore, urged governments to avoid making pronouncements that would endanger small businesses by creating capacity, a good business environment, good infrastructure, and a good tax regime.
He decried the current plan by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to set up a national microfinance bank, saying the plan is akin to throwing money at the problem, without studying the issues with the existing licensed banks.
“The current plan by the CBN to set up a National Microfinance Bank is like throwing money at the problem, without studying the issues with the existing licensed banks.
“The Microfinance banking environment can assist small businesses to grow, if they are helped to build capacity for growth.
“We expect that money should not be thrown at economic and business problems, with the hope that such money will solve those problems.
“Rather, we must all collaborate to create capacity, a good business environment, good infrastructure, and a good tax regime,’’ he said.
