by Alexander O. Onukwue

 

Nigeria’s economy is at a better place than it was at this time last year. The exit from recession achieved in the last quarter has increased the motivation of the Government to do more in terms of stimulating the economy to make more available in the treasury. “Nigeria’s prestige has gone up, Nigeria is now creditworthy, a clear testimony of which was the over-subscription of the Euro-Bond by 4 times,” Buhari said.

However, it appears the Government will just spend the gains on more personnel costs anyway.

President Buhari admits this much in his speech at the APC’s conference while announcing that he will expand the Federal Executive Council to accommodate more supporters. He said, “now that the economy is improving, we will have the resources to cater for the appointees”.

This statement does not fall in line with the various clamours for cutting down on the cost of Governance, a policy which Buhari himself appeared to subscribe to during his campaigns and in the first months in office. Ministries were merged and avenues perceived as providing leaks from the treasury were plugged. Even souvenirs for the programmes of Ministries, Departments and Agencies was banned.

Only for the President to now wish to create more portfolios just for “supporters”?

It does appear counter-intuitive, and at the minimum, a policy reversal. The new Ministers, if the expansion involves Ministers, will require the coterie of assistants and staffers to facilitate their performance in their duties. But if the offices do not need new staff, then why are they being created?

In any case, there is the certainty that more millions of naira will have to be set aside by the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Committee for the remuneration of these new appointees. These could have been spent on the government’s existing Social Investment Programmes, but would instead be spent on hiring “supporters”, not necessarily because it is in the best interest of the country but because the country can afford it.