FEC okays scrapping, merging of federal agencies

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has adopted the Steve Oronsaye report on the reform of the civil service to cut cost of governance.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed that some Ministries, Departments and Agencies would be scrapped, merged or subsumed into relevant organisations of government.

Idris, however, said that the aim was only to cut cost and not throw Nigerians into the labour market.

He said this at the end of the council meeting on Monday, February 26, 2024 in Abuja.

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The minister, who said that details of the affected MDAs would be made available soon, disclosed that a committee had been set up for its implementation.

Idris also revealed Council’s deliberation on the proposed industrial action by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), urging it to shelve the plan.

He said that government had fulfilled more than 85 per cent of the agreements entered into with Labour in September 2023.

The minister said that Labour should consider the efforts of government in addressing the challenges and not allow mischief makers to hijack the situation at this critical period.

Similarly, the council approved the continuation of payment to vulnerable households under the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP).

Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, said that appropriate measures would be put in place to verify all beneficiaries.

He said all beneficiaries would be identified through their BVN, NIN and account numbers or electronic wallets even after the payment.

Edun said that the reintroduction of the NSIP was in line with the administration’s desire of addressing the challenges faced by vulnerable Nigerians.

He added that 12 million households would benefit immediately from the payment of N25,000 NSIP initiative.

The Star