Amidst pressures on President Bola Tinubu by politicians to dissolve the boards of federal government agencies and parastatals, the office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation ( SGF) on Sunday, said it is yet to receive official directives from the President
The Director of Information in the office of the SGF, Williams Bassey, while speaking with BusinessDay on the issue, said the “office does not work on speculations”.
“ As you know, these are very sensitive national issues that deals with people’s career. Those appointed were considered deserving of those offices before they were appointed to take charge of them, so no government institution work on rumours or speculations, when they happen, you will be the first to know,” he said.
BusinessDay however gathered from a top member of the ruling All Progressive Congress ( APC) that the President is under pressures to dissolve the boards of agencies and parastatals to allow for their reconstitution.
Office of the SGF coordinates policy design and formulation by Ministries, Departments and Agencies for approval by Government, it serves as the clearing house for Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the government, as well as monitor the implementation of Government decisions, policies and programmes.
The office also coordinates the constitutional, Political and socio-economic matters as may be referred to the Presidency. It serve as the Chief Adviser to Mr. President and the Vice President on policy issues; Provide administrative support services for Administrative Tribunals, Commissions and Panels of Enquiry.
The office also coordinate public safety matters, as well as serves as the Secretariat to the Council of State, the Federal Executive Council, Security Council and other Constitutional Councils which are chaired by the President;
Others functions include Processing and granting of government approval for overseas tours, inter-governmental meetings, conferences and medical Check-up/ treatment for Public Officers, Members of the Judiciary, Chairman and Members of Statutory Commissions for approval by the President.
An Abuja based legal practitioner and Chieftain of the party, Suleiman Lamorde, revealed that haven successfully inaugurated the 10th National Assembly and its leadership in now in place, lobbyists have shifted their attention to headship of boards of federal government agencies.
Lamorde who contested the primaries for the Adamawa State House of Assembly for Mubi constituency, added that it is normal for those who worked for the party due the elections to lobby for such offices.
BusinessDay gathered from other party sources in Abuja, that APC leaders across the States have begun compiling lists of possible appointees into boards of federal government agencies.
Lamorde however appealed to the President not to succumb to pressures from politicians on the reconstitution of boards of MDAs.
“ Recall that this almost resulted in the disintegration of the APC under for President Muhammadu Buhari, as many who laboured for the party were sidelined,” he said.
“ We believe it is too early to start this lobbying, because the Ministers are yet to be appointed.
“ The usual practice is the the Ministers are the ones who draw up list of vacancies in their respective MDAs, working with the office of the SGF, before such vacancies are filled.”
Lamorde, while noting that the current administration must work softly on the issues of over bloated MDAs, urged the President to first resolve issues around the Review of Number and Strategy for Resourcing Nigeria’s Diplomatic Missions World-Wide. (BusinessDay)
