By Etuka Sunday
The federal government has refused to merge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) as recommended in the report of the Steve Oronsaye Committee on Restructuring and Rationalization of federal government Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies.
It however merged aviation agencies and also scrapped the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) as well as the National Salaries, Wages and Incomes Commission.
The government also accepted that the trio of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency be merged into a new body to be known as the Federal Civil Aviation Authority (FCAA) and their respective enabling laws be amended accordingly to reflect the merger.
In the White Paper on the report of the Presidential committee which was released yesterday, the federal government also accepted the recommendation for the scrapping of the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP).
It also accepted agreed that the National Agricultural Insurance Corporation be fully commercialized, while accepting to partially commercialize NIPOST.
Government further accepted to sell off its shares in Nigeria Communication Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) and directed that government will retain minority in the firm. It also accepted that the functions of NIGCOMSAT that relate to space development be reverted to that of the National Space Development Agency.
Government further accepted all offices of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies outside Lagos and Abuja be closed down immediately to ensure judicious use of available resources in line with government policy.
FG accepted that the National Council of Arts and Culture be merged with the National Troupe and the National Theatre into one agency called National Council of Arts and Culture.
FG accepted that the Nigerian Financial Reporting Council ceases to be funded by government from 2015 and accepted that the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) be self-funding from 2014.
Read further details of a summarized version of the 105-page report on page 20.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
