…..also calls for ‘Public Servants’ Social Audits’
Pix Caption : Prof. of Accounting, Babcock University, Remo, Ogun State, Professor Sunday Owolabi
R-L : Anchor of the Programme, Mr Dare Folarin, Tunde Abatan, Invited Guest, Mr Oloruntoba, The Director of News, RockCity FM and Mr Femi Oshinuga Co-host of the programme
A University Don, Prof. of Accounting, Babcock University, Remo, Ogun State, Professor Sunday Owolabi has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Cost- cutting measures as grossly immaterial because the areas that he’s reducing cost compared to our budget is less significant.
Owolabi stated this at the Citizen’s Forum Day Break Show organised by RockCity FM 101.9 which was Titled “Tinubu’s Cost-Cutting Measures, Missing Links and Effect on Governance’.
According to Prof. Owolabi, Tinubu’s practical demonstration of cutting down the number of Security personnel and that of Ministers Personnel, among others is what can be regarded as ‘Film Trick’ adding that that the impact might not be felt at all.
“It is good to let us know that the current administration is doing something. However, we expect Mr President to go further by doing more meaningful things that will definitely impact meaningfully on the economic development of this nation”
Speaking about other areas that President Tinubu should look into, Owolabi said President Tinubu should consolidate the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) which in his words are “too unnecessary many” adding that there’s so much duplication of duties and functions.
“Take for instance Ministry of Livestock which can come under Min. of Agriculture, creating another Ministry is wasting of our resources. In fact the Ministries should be reduced to 20 or 14” said Prof. Owolabi.
President Tinubu, Owolabi said should also work on Fuel Efficiency Management. His words “The prices of fuel, gas etc, is becoming unbearable for the masses and must be reviewed scientifically. If Dangote is not paying for shipping, Clearing, Import duties which carries 60% of the landing cost of fuel and the cost is going up, then President Tinubu has a lot to do in that area.”
Speaks further, “The number of political appointees, advisers, and political aides should also be reduced, then there’ll be material impact.” he said.
Prof. Owolabi also wants President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to look into the area of Budget Padding which entails duplication of budget and non-existent constituency allowance, among other things.
He advised that Professional bodies can checkmate excesses in that area.
“We also need to be sensitive to our accountability process, civil servants must be scrutinized, this is referred to as ‘Public Servants Social Audits’ here, corruption is so high but it can also be checkmated.
Cost of governance and corruption is the major problems which must be addressed if we must move forward” Prof. Owolabi concluded.
Also speaking as a guest at the Show, on how President Tinubu can reduce cost of governance, the Publisher, Newdawn Newspapers, Fmr. Deputy Editor, Daily Independent, and Communication Consultant, Tunde Abatan, said it’s easy for anyone to come into govt. and introduce changes, but failure to Institutionalize those changes will render it ineffective.
Abatan wants President Tinubu to stop duplication of ministries just to please people.
His words “It is not the number of Ministers that matters but their efficiency, what is the essence of having 53 Ministers that are not making positive impact on the ordinary citizens on the street” he queried.
This move, according to Abatan can reduce cost of governance.
Abatan also advocate for local govt. autonomy whereby State govs. should allow LGAs to function. “If LGAs are collecting their monthly allocation and spending it at the grassroots, the economic hardship will be minimal. Political parties should not be allowed to control the LGAs, that is not democracy” Abatan stated.
Abatan however tasks Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to monitor the activities of the State govs and LGAs by holding them accountable.
“Lastly, for President Tinubu to effect positive changes, he should start with the National Assembly by cutting down their expenses and salaries, there’s no point earning huge amount of salaries when the masses are suffering, they also need to sacrifice’ Abatan concluded.
