The minister said the President had also given a directive for the design of a social security unemployment programme to cater for unemployed graduates as well as the setting up of a social consumer credit scheme to boost the purchasing power of Nigerians, as they make adjustments, in view of “temporary economic hardship.”
Workers and the Federal Government sharply disagreed, yesterday, over how the implementation of the Steve Oronsaye report will affect jobs in the country.
While the Federal Government allayed fears of job losses in the implementation of the report, which seeks to rationalise government agencies and parastatals, workers warned that there will be massive job losses.
However, the government’s move got the nod of the Labour Party, LP, 2023 presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, who said that being in opposition did not warrant blind, and thoughtless criticism.
Cautioning the government against hasty action, he added that if well implemented, the Steve Oronsaye report will cut the high cost of governance, and eliminate responsibilities overlap that causes ineffectiveness and inefficiency.
He also urged the government to cut waste and redirect funds to education, healthcare and poverty eradication.
Govt not out to retrench workers —Information minister
Speaking at the fourth edition of the Ministerial Press Briefing Series in Abuja yesterday, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said: “The whole idea is that government wants to reduce cost and also improve efficiency in service delivery.
‘’It does not mean that government is out to retrench workers or throw people into the labour market.”
President Bola Tinubu had announced, on Monday, implementation of the report that will lead to merger of ministries and reduction of MDAs from 263 to 161, among others.
Idris said implementation of the report, which had been on the shelf for about 11 years, is a clear demonstration of President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to fiscal prudence and responsible governance by championing a comprehensive review of government‘s commissions, agencies, and parastatals.
He said approval for implementation of the Oronsaye’s report after a very careful review, was to ensure that essential services are not compromised and that the needs of citizens are adequately addressed while putting the interests of the nation first and foremost.
“Through the implementation of Oronsaye’s report, President Tinubu aims to achieve significant cost savings by eliminating duplication of functions, streamlining administrative processes, and optimizing resource allocation.
‘’This proactive approach will enable government operate more efficiently while maintaining quality and delivery of services to the Nigerian people,” he said.
Benefits of Tinubu’s reforms
The minister, who said Nigerians are beginning to see benefits of reforms being spearheaded by the president in various sectors, stressed that reports from the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, indicated that Nigeria witnessed a GDP growth of 3.46% in the fourth quarter of 2023, against 2.54% recorded in the third quarter of 2022.
He said the NBS report also stated that capital importation rose to 66% in the fourth quarter of 2023, reversing a 36% decline in the third quarter, adding that petrol importation had been reduced by 50% since withdrawal of fuel subsidy, while the Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index crossed the 100,000 mark – its highest ever.
He said achievements being recorded in the economy were not merely a stroke of luck but mainly due to the pragmatic reforms initiated by the President, which inspired investor confidence in the economy.
Social security unemployment programme
The minister said the President had also given a directive for the design of a social security unemployment programme to cater for unemployed graduates as well as the setting up of a social consumer credit scheme to boost the purchasing power of Nigerians, as they make adjustments, in view of “temporary economic hardship.”
He said after the review of the National Social Investment Programme, the President approved the resumption of the direct payments of N25,000 to 15 million households.
Furious Labour insists there‘ll be massive job losses
Countering the minister, organised labour expressed outrage over President Tinubu’s approval for implementation of the Oronsaye’s report on public sector reforms, saying it will lead to massive job losses, among others.
While the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, directed members in the public sector to furnish the national secretariat with impact analysis report focusing on the potential consequences, including job losses, changes in workload, pay/compensation and the overall impact on workers, work, and trade unions, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, set up a three-member committee to monitor the implementation of the report to ensure none of its members loses his or her job.
Already, the Non-Academic Staff of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, has called on President Tinubu to review his stance on the report because of members’ job, querying: “Why did you think the former governments of President Goodluck Jonathan and President Muhammadu Buhari refused to implement the Oronsaye’s report? You think they are cowards?”
NLC writes affiliates
NLC, in a letter to the public sector unions, titled: “Request for impact analysis of Oronsaye’s report on public sector reforms,” its Acting General Secretary, Ismail Bello, said: “As you are aware, His Excellency, Bola Tinubu, the President of the federation, recently announced the initiation of public sector reforms, with particular reference to the Oronsaye report.
“This comprehensive report outlines proposed measures aimed at restructuring and streamlining various governmental agencies and institutions with the stated goal of enhancing efficiency, effectiveness, and service delivery.
“While these reforms hold the promise of improving governance and public service delivery, it is imperative that we, as representatives of the workforce, thoroughly analyze the implications of such changes on the lives and livelihoods of our members including its possible impact on trade unions. The potential consequences, including but not limited to job losses, changes in workload, pay/compensation and the overall impact on workers, work, and trade unions, need to be carefully assessed and addressed.
“In light of this, I kindly request that your esteemed union conducts a thorough impact analysis of the Oronsaye report on public sector reforms, focusing on the following key areas:
“Job losses- Evaluate the potential impact of the proposed reforms on employment within your sector, including projections of possible job losses and the sectors most affected.
“Efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery – Assess how the proposed reforms may affect the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery within your sector. Consider factors such as resource allocation, institutional capacity, and the ability to meet public demands and expectations.
“Workload of Staff: Examine the potential consequences of the reforms on the workload and working conditions of employees- Identify any risks of increased work pressure, burnout, or stress resulting from restructuring or downsizing measures.
“Pay/Compensation- Appraise its impact on Pay and Compensation structure to ensure that workers are not left with reduced Pay and Compensations during and after the transitions.
General Implications for Workers, Work, and Trade Unions – Analyze the broader implications of the reforms on workers’ and trade union rights, job security, collective bargaining power, and the role of trade unions in advocating for the interests of workers.”