National Assembly Faces Calls for Part-Time Operation or Unicameral System to Cut Costs, Fear Job Loss

The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has advised President Bola Tinubu to consider making the National Assembly operate on a part-time basis or adopt a unicameral system. This comes as workers in the Federal Civil Service express fears over the recent approval by President Tinubu for the adoption and implementation of some recommendations from the Steve Orosaye Report, suggesting it could lead to job losses.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, ASCSN President, Comrade Tommy Etim Okon, emphasized the need for government to cut down the cost of governance across all arms, calling for a review of the report in line with current national realities. He highlighted the importance of eliminating overlapping responsibilities, increasing efficiency, and directing resources to critical sectors such as Education, Health, and National Security.

“The National Assembly should either operate on a part-time basis or become a unicameral legislature to reduce the cost of governance,” Okon stated. He urged the government to repeal the acts establishing certain government agencies before implementing the report to avoid legal issues. He also emphasized the need for the government to cushion the effect of any job losses on workers and to involve organized labor in the implementation process.

Responding to concerns about job losses, Okon stressed the need for holistic measures to make governance more efficient, cost-effective, and productive. He noted that the Orosaye Report identified 541 federal government parastatals, commissions, and agencies, recommending a reduction in the number of statutory agencies to enhance efficiency.

The report recommends the abolition and merging of certain agencies, including the EFCC, ICPC, and NTA, among others. It also suggests reverting some agencies to departments within ministries. The ASCSN calls for more public enlightenment campaigns to educate the populace on the benefits of implementing the report and warns against job losses during this challenging time of socio-economic crisis.

Vanguard News