Acting President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) has given reasons for the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms in the economy, saying that the reforms are geared at enhancing financial prudence, integrity and transparency.
Osinbajo, who stated this at the swearing-in ceremony of newly appointed permanent secretaries, and assigning portfolios to newly appointed ministers, on Wednesday in Abuja, added that the Federal Government has enunciated Executive Orders with a view to driving the reform in order to ensure its successful implementation. He said:
“We are also implementing a major reform of our public finance system, emphasising integrity and fiscal prudence. These reforms are being effected in the context of our determined anti-corruption programme; and these efforts cannot succeed without a competent and committed civil service corps led by your good selves.”
According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, Mr. Laolu Akande and made available to The Daily Times, Osinbajo said: “As part of that reform effort, four executive orders have been signed into law.
“Executive Order 00 is on the promotion of transparency and efficiency in the Business Environment – to ensure that public servants offer prompt service in a predictable and transparent manner, and sanction undue delays.
“Executive Order 002 is on prompt submission of annual budgetary estimates by all statutory and non-statutory agencies of the Federal Government including incorporated companies wholly owned by Federal Government.
The deadline for this is on or before end of July. “Executive Order 003 is on support for local content in public procurement by Ministries, Departments & Agencies of the Federal Government to promote patronage for Made-in-Nigeria goods and services.
“Executive Order 004 is on the Voluntary Assets & Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) to provide an opportunity for taxpayers who are in default under all relevant statutes to voluntarily declare their assets and income; and pay taxes on them, while avoiding payments of interests and penalties.”
Osinbajo urged the Permanent Secretaries to demonstrate high level commitment to the government’s policy drive, saying, a training programme has been undertaken in order to do so, and it is a continuous programme. He said:
“It is also important to emphasise that this government is committed to an anti-corruption programme. Meanwhile, the Acting President has also assigned portfolios to two ministers.
They are Prof. Steven Ocheni, who was assigned the portfolio of Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour and Employment; and Mr. Suleiman Hassan, who will function as the Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing.
Also, Osinbajo announced the posting of 15 Permanent Secretaries as follows: Mrs. Anagbogu Ifeoma Nkiruka, Women Affairs; Mrs. Walson-Jack Didi Esther, Service Welfare Office in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Gekpe Grace Isu, Information and Culture; Aliboh Leon Lawrence, Budget and National Planning; Uwaifo Osarenoma Clement, Ministry of Health; Afolayan Ayodele Olaniyi, Common Services, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Abdullahi Abdulazeez Mashi, Ministry of Communications; Adebiyi Bolaji Adekunle, Labour and Employment.
Others are Ibrahim Musa Wen, Water Resources; Odewale Samson Olajide, Special Duties, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Adesola Olusade, Youth and Sports Development; Umar Mohammed Bello, Special Services Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Aduda Gabriel Tanimu, Politcal Affairs Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation; and Akpan Edet Sunday is to resume duty in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment on October 1. Ehuria Georgina Ekeoma, Cabinet Affairs Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
