Yemi Obafemi
Former BPE Director-General, Dr. Joe Abah, has faulted the government’s handling of public finances, accusing it of lacking seriousness in curbing waste and reducing the cost of governance.
Abah stated this while criticizing the proposed review of salaries for political office holders by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), describing the move as ill-timed and poorly considered.
He said while salary adjustments may be necessary, the timing and circumstances surrounding the decision were inappropriate.
“It is often not enough that something is the right thing to do. If you do the right thing at the wrong time, in the wrong sequence, and in the wrong way, you end up doing more harm than good. My thinking is that the timing is not right, and the optics are not right.
“We have the largest cabinet in Nigeria’s history. Every day, new agencies and commissions are created. I have always argued that for every new agency we create, we should close at least ten.
According to Abah, it would be insensitive to approve a pay increase for politicians at a time when government spending remains bloated with about 50 ministers, numerous aides, assistants, and special advisers whose actual numbers remain unclear.
“You cannot, in good conscience, announce an increase in the pay of political office holders under these conditions. It does not create the impression that this is the right thing to do at this time,” he said.
