Following job loss anxiety over the implementation of Steve Oronsaye’s report, Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris yesterday said the Federal Government would not retrench workers.

He said the merger of some parastatals was meant to ensure efficiency in the civil service and save cost.

Idris, who spoke at the Ministerial Press Briefing Series in Abuja, said some of the merged or scrapped agencies had been redundant or had outlived their usefulness.

He said: “The consideration of Steve Oronsaye’s report is to improve efficiency in the Civil service. This does not mean that the government intends to retrench workers.

“The whole idea is that the government wants to reduce cost and also improve efficiency in service delivery.

“It does not necessarily mean that the government is out to retrench or throw people to the labour market. That is not the original intention.”

He highlighted the rationale behind the merger of some of the departments and agencies.

He said: “Only two days ago, the President approved a revolutionary approach towards reducing the cost of governance through the implementation of the much-talked-about Oronsaye Report – 12 years after the report was submitted to the then President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

“This is a clear demonstration of Mr. President’s unwavering commitment to fiscal prudence and responsible governance by championing a comprehensive review of the government‘s commissions, agencies, and parastatals.

“In recognition of the need to rationalise the size and scope of government, the President has taken decisive action to merge certain agencies and scrap others that are redundant or have outlived their usefulness.”

Idris insisted that the government did its homework before coming up with its decisions on Oronsaye’s report.

He added: “The merger of some agencies and parastatals and the scrapping of others are not decisions taken lightly.

“It followed careful consideration and strategic planning to ensure that essential services are not compromised and that the needs of our citizens are adequately addressed while putting the interests of the nation first and foremost.

“Through the implementation of the report, President Tinubu aims to achieve significant cost savings by eliminating duplication of functions, streamlining administrative processes, and optimising resource allocation.

“This proactive approach will enable the government to operate more efficiently while maintaining the quality and delivery of services to the Nigerian people.

“It is worth noting that these measures are not undertaken in isolation but they are part of a broader strategy to reform and modernise government institutions by leveraging technology, promoting innovation, and fostering a culture of performance and accountability across all sectors.”

Idris said Nigeria has begun to reap the benefits of the reforms being spearheaded by President Tinubu, citing some fundamental economic growth being recorded since May 2030,

According to him, the country recorded GDP growth of 3.46 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2023 as against 2.54 per cent recorded in the third quarter of 2023.

“Capital importation rose to 66 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2023, reversing a 36 per cent decline in the third quarter.

“Petrol importation has been reduced by 50 per cent since the withdrawal of the fuel subsidy.

“The Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index crossed the 100,000 mark – its highest ever, mainly due to the pragmatic reforms initiated by the President, which inspired investor confidence in the Nigerian economy,” he said.

The minister said the revitalised oil sector has started posting positive results.

He said: “It is also encouraging to state that oil production has risen from 1.22 million barrels per day in the second quarter of 2023 to 1.55 million barrels per day in the fourth quarter of 2023.

“The government’s concerns over the nation’s unemployment rate have led to the deployment of some mechanisms aimed at addressing the issue holistically.

“The President has also given a directive for the design of a Social Security Unemployment Programme to cater for the unemployed graduates.

“This is in addition to setting up of a Social Consumer Credit Scheme to boost the purchasing power of Nigerians, as they make adjustments in view of the temporary economic hardship.

“As the government rejigs the National Social Investment Programme, the direct payments to N25,000 to 15 million households will resume immediately.”

The minister emphasised the enormous burden of insecurity, which has led to certain proactive steps being taken.

“The government is equally tackling insecurity headlong and more success stories are coming in daily. Without any doubt, we are winning the war against insecurity.”

“These are indeed a testament to the bold initiatives taken by Mr. President to reflate the Nigerian economy and return it to the path of growth and sustainable development,” Idris added.

Following job loss anxiety over the implementation of Steve Oronsaye’s report, Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris yesterday said the Federal Government would not retrench workers.

He said the merger of some parastatals was meant to ensure efficiency in the civil service and save cost.

Idris, who spoke at the Ministerial Press Briefing Series in Abuja, said some of the merged or scrapped agencies had been redundant or had outlived their usefulness.

He said: “The consideration of Steve Oronsaye’s report is to improve efficiency in the Civil service. This does not mean that the government intends to retrench workers.

“The whole idea is that the government wants to reduce cost and also improve efficiency in service delivery.

“It does not necessarily mean that the government is out to retrench or throw people to the labour market. That is not the original intention.”

He highlighted the rationale behind the merger of some of the departments and agencies.

He said: “Only two days ago, the President approved a revolutionary approach towards reducing the cost of governance through the implementation of the much-talked-about Oronsaye Report – 12 years after the report was submitted to the then President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

“This is a clear demonstration of Mr. President’s unwavering commitment to fiscal prudence and responsible governance by championing a comprehensive review of the government‘s commissions, agencies, and parastatals.

“In recognition of the need to rationalise the size and scope of government, the President has taken decisive action to merge certain agencies and scrap others that are redundant or have outlived their usefulness.”

Idris insisted that the government did its homework before coming up with its decisions on Oronsaye’s report.

He added: “The merger of some agencies and parastatals and the scrapping of others are not decisions taken lightly.

“It followed careful consideration and strategic planning to ensure that essential services are not compromised and that the needs of our citizens are adequately addressed while putting the interests of the nation first and foremost.

“Through the implementation of the report, President Tinubu aims to achieve significant cost savings by eliminating duplication of functions, streamlining administrative processes, and optimising resource allocation.

“This proactive approach will enable the government to operate more efficiently while maintaining the quality and delivery of services to the Nigerian people.

“It is worth noting that these measures are not undertaken in isolation but they are part of a broader strategy to reform and modernise government institutions by leveraging technology, promoting innovation, and fostering a culture of performance and accountability across all sectors.”

Idris said Nigeria has begun to reap the benefits of the reforms being spearheaded by President Tinubu, citing some fundamental economic growth being recorded since May 2030,

According to him, the country recorded GDP growth of 3.46 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2023 as against 2.54 per cent recorded in the third quarter of 2023.

“Capital importation rose to 66 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2023, reversing a 36 per cent decline in the third quarter.

“Petrol importation has been reduced by 50 per cent since the withdrawal of the fuel subsidy.

“The Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index crossed the 100,000 mark – its highest ever, mainly due to the pragmatic reforms initiated by the President, which inspired investor confidence in the Nigerian economy,” he said.

The minister said the revitalised oil sector has started posting positive results.

He said: “It is also encouraging to state that oil production has risen from 1.22 million barrels per day in the second quarter of 2023 to 1.55 million barrels per day in the fourth quarter of 2023.

“The government’s concerns over the nation’s unemployment rate have led to the deployment of some mechanisms aimed at addressing the issue holistically.

“The President has also given a directive for the design of a Social Security Unemployment Programme to cater for the unemployed graduates.

“This is in addition to setting up of a Social Consumer Credit Scheme to boost the purchasing power of Nigerians, as they make adjustments in view of the temporary economic hardship.

“As the government rejigs the National Social Investment Programme, the direct payments to N25,000 to 15 million households will resume immediately.”

The minister emphasised the enormous burden of insecurity, which has led to certain proactive steps being taken.

“The government is equally tackling insecurity headlong and more success stories are coming in daily. Without any doubt, we are winning the war against insecurity.”

“These are indeed a testament to the bold initiatives taken by Mr. President to reflate the Nigerian economy and return it to the path of growth and sustainable development,” Idris added.