Reps move to halt duplicity of government agencies

OrderPaperToday- The House of Representatives on Wednesday, adopted and passed a motion to investigate the duplication of functions of agencies of the federal government.

Seemingly, the House agreed to ascertain the root cause analysis of the regular bickering among some established Agencies, Departments, Boards, Parastatals, and Corporations in the country.

The Green Chamber also resolved to establish areas of mergers, synergies, and justification of the existence of some of the agencies which are no longer needed in the country, and report back within six weeks.

These resolutions were by way of a motion moved by Tahir Mohammed Monguno(APC, Borno).

Monguno in leading the debate stated that one of the fundamental means of the practical sustainability of government’s endeavours is in counting the cost of governance.

He bemoaned the duplicity of agencies and their functions which constitute a high drain on the functions, cost, and responsibility of government, which in turn has a derogatory effect on the effect of good governance

The motion is titled, ‘Need to Investigate the Duplication of Functions of Agencies of the Federal Government’

House notes that Section 153(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) established certain Federal Executive Bodies and Section 4(2) of the 1999 Constitution empowers the National Assembly to repeal obsolete laws and enact new ones for the good governance of the Federation.

It is also aware that Nigeria has been gaining on the world index of Ease of Doing Business (EDB) rising from the 145th position in 2019 to 131st in 2020, hence there is a need to consolidate on this improvement.

The lawmakers expressed concern that with the existence of about 1,484 Agencies, Departments, Boards, Parastatals, and Corporations in the country with the attendant duplication of functions and clash of interests, there is a likelihood of the latest World Bank annual ratings to slide considerably.

Meanwhile, the House believes in the need for stock-taking and reviewing the functions of all government agencies.

The motion was voted on and adopted.