Daily Independent Online.
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Thursday, July 01, 2004.
Reps condemn
FG’s approach to reforms
•Summons
chief economic adviser to Obasanjo
By Uchenna Awom
National
Assembly
Correspondent, Abuja
The House of Representatives on Wednesday
condemned the Federal Government’s approach to the reform process,
especially the planned reform of the civil service, saying it does not follow
the rule of law which tantamounts to breach of the constitution.
The House through is Committee on National
Planning, frowned at the wilful act of breach of laid down procedures in the
announced merger of the Nigerian Institute of Economic Research (NISER) with
the National Manpower Board and the Centre for Management Development (CMD)
with the National Centre for Economic Management and Administration (NCEMA).
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the
chairman of the committee, Mr. Dave Salako, said on the strength of the
violations the house has summoned the Chief Economic Adviser to the President,
Prof. Ode Ojovwu, to appear before the House to explain his previous contempt
of the committee when it resumes on July 27.
He said the House owes Nigerians the
responsibility to call to order any serving official to obey the constitution
and follow the rule of law.
Salako recalled that the committee had
earlier invited the new chief economic adviser for a meeting to brief it on the
plans by the National Planning Commission to scrap and merge some of its
parastatal.
The meeting he said was slated to hold last
Tuesday June 29, but to their utter dismay Prof. Ojovwu shunned the meeting, in
spite of the acknowledgement of the letter of invitation dated June 23, 2004.
He said the efforts of the committee to
speak with him or his permanent secretary proved abortive as at the time the
meeting rose at about 6pm.
“It is pertinent to state that the
House Committee takes the issue as very important and had to recall all its
committee members from their various constituencies for the aborted meeting.
This is very painful. It is clearly an indication that the new chief economic
adviser is starting on a very wrong footing and has imbibed in an inherited
desperation.”
“Of course, as you know
‘desperation’ is a very different horse to ride, it is dangerous
than alcohol because it can always be slept off,” he said.
However, the committee, Salako stated is
not unaware of the plans of the Federal Government to reform the Nigeria Civil
Service with a view to eliminate waste within the system and enhance
productivity, and also wish to state that it is not against enhancement of
productivity in civil service through merger, but frowning at any act of breach
of lay down procedures.
The committee, Salako added has hitherto
directed the New Chief Economic Adviser to the President on National Planning
Commission to stop the handing over process which he has embarked on, until the
issue of what becomes of the staff and other contentious matters are sorted
out.
