Ibibio group urges Tinubu to cut governance cost by implementing Oronsanye report

A socio-cultural organisation of Bio ethnic nationality in Akwa Ibon State, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to drastically reduce his over-bloated Federal Executive Council and faithfully implement the Stephen Orosanye’s Report to reduce the high cost of governance in the country.

It further advised the All Progressives Congress-led government to scrap the bicameral legislative structure and plough back the savings arising from the exercises towards improving the welfare of the citizenry.

This was contained in a communiqué issued at the 54th General Assembly of the organization held at its secretariat along Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Saturday.

The communique which was made available to our correspondent in Uyo on Tuesday was endorsed by the International President of the group, Akparawa James Edet, and Secretary Akparawa Bassey Bassey among others.

Recall that President Tinubu had, earlier this year pushed for the implementation of the Stephen Orosanye Report, to reduce the cost of governance in the country

But in a move that suggested that he had ignored the report, the President approved two new commissions: the South East Development Commission and the North West Development Commission.

The communiqué reads, “The 54th General Assembly called on the government at all levels to reduce the cost of governance and plough back the savings at improving the welfare of citizens.

“Mboho called on the Federal Government to consider scrapping the present bicameral legislature system in favour of the unicameral structure, drastically reduce the over bloated Federal Executive Council as well as fully implement the Orasanye Report on the realignment of Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the country.”

The group called on the Federal Government to take proactive steps towards reducing the untold burden, pains and hardship confronting the Nigerian masses.

The group particularly called on political office holders and elected representatives of the people both at the national and state levels to “make sacrifices, initiate people-oriented policies and legislations that would ameliorate the suffering Nigerians are currently passing through.”

On the ongoing protests in some parts of the country, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio noted that it was the right of the citizens to protest but however, warned that such protests should not be allowed to be hijacked by the hoodlums.

The communiqué added, “Mboho acknowledged the inalienable rights of citizens to protest, but appealed for caution to guide against hoodlums highjacking the protest and causing mayhem in the process.”

Reiterating its commitment and resolve to continually uphold the founding tenets and ideals of the organization, and strengthen the bond of unity and brotherhood amongst its members, the organization specially commended Akwa Ibom residents, particularly the youths for choosing the path of peace and dialogue instead of protest.

It also commended the state governor, Umo Eno, for successfully steering the ship of the state for the past 14 months, appealing to the state government to direct the contractor handling the erosion control project along Nelson Mandela street-Calabar Itu Road to speed up and deliver the job to ameliorate the suffering residents and users of the all-important road are passing through.