We need to reduce government spending by reducing government institutions – Gbajabiamila

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, on Wednesday, has expressed the need to reduce government spending by reducing establishment of institutions.

Hon Gbajabiamila said this while welcoming members to the 2021 legislative session.

He then tasked members on the need to be more circumspect particularly on the bills seeking to establish new agencies, considering the exploding recurrent cost of governance.

“At a time of reduced revenue, with preexisting and worsening infrastructure deficits requiring significant investments, we cannot afford to keep establishing more institutions that impose a permanent liability on government income. I am not unmindful of the realities that often necessitate such legislation, yet we cannot ignore the facts that lie before us.” He said

“Let us work together to reform and strengthen the institutions already in existence, and remove those no longer fit for purpose. I believe most sincerely that this is the pathway to a legacy that we can all be proud of,” the Speaker stressed.

“The promises we have made and the fierce urgency of this moment compel us to do more, do better, and do so with haste that reflects our understanding of the challenges and promise of this moment in history and our determination to succeed against all odds. We are called to take legislative action to unleash the spirit of invention and our people’s untiring industry.

“We have to do this for this generation to thrive here at home as they have done everywhere else in the world where they have access to the resources and infrastructure they need to succeed.”

Honourable colleagues, we begin this New Year with a renewed commitment to legislative action that drives the course of progress and brings us closer to achieving the highest aspirations we hold for our nation. We begin with renewed determination to achieve better oversight of government spending priorities through a collaborative effort with the executive arm of government and with civil society. And we remain dedicated to the lofty, yet clear ambitions we articulated in our Legislative Agenda when we resumed in the 9th Assembly,” the Speaker urged.