By Daniel Edu
In response to concerns about potential job cuts following the Federal Executive’s approval of the 12-year-old Steve Oronsaye report, Minister of Information Mohammed Idris emphasized that the government’s objective is not to retrench workers. Speaking at a Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Idris explained that the primary goal of implementing the report is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of agencies while reducing overall costs.
The approved policy involves the restructuring and rationalization of various Federal Government agencies and commissions through measures such as merging, subsuming, and scrapping entities with similar functions. Idris clarified that certain aspects of the report have undergone review, but the actions related to merging, scrapping, and subsuming have already been initiated.
Contrary to misconceptions, Idris emphasized that the government’s focus is on cost reduction and improved service delivery, not on laying off workers. He stated, “The intention is that efficiency has to be brought in because some of these agencies are actually experiencing overlap in their operations. We are pursuing this to ensure that people benefit from democracy without necessarily causing job losses or adding to the labor market.”
The government aims to streamline operations and eliminate redundancies within agencies, fostering a more efficient and cost-effective government structure.
