EDITORIAL: Governor Adeleke And The Cost Of Governance

• Laudable Move But Needs To Go Deeper

THE decision of Osun State Gov. Ademola Adeleke to stop unnecessary foreign travels by government officials is very sensible and he has to be encouraged to go further in attacking waste and duplication which have ballooned. 

Adeleke has suspended foreign trips for top officials of his administration for the rest of the year, with exceptions for emergencies. 

The position of Gov. Adekeke reflects the exigencies of the moment and is a sensible response to the fiscal crisis. The fact is that the so-called “foreign travel” has become not just an indulgence but a means of siphoning fund from the coffers of the government.  Across the three tiers of government in Nigeria, the costs and benefits inquiry into the deliverables from foreign travels reveal that nothing significant has come out or what has been correctly ascribed as Junketing. The time is overdue to put an end to the fallacy. 

Chief Obafemi Awolowo pointed out long ago in 1978 that “if you put your house in order, the required foreign direct investment will come in geometric proportion. He is of course very right; the foundation should be constructed in order to make the country and Osun State in particular an enticing destination for foreign investment, leaping up and down in self-indulgent is at variance with achieving this objective. Kudos Mr. Governor! 

However, the report that “The governor has also directed the Head of Service, Mr. Leye Aina, to prepare a memo that would state the relationship between the Commissioners and the Special Advisers to ensure efficiency in the governance process” is rather disturbing. This should have been done before the special advisers and commissioners were sworn-in. It indicates a dysfunction in the running of the government which should not have happened. Mr. Leye Aina has his work cut out and should carry out his assignments expeditiously.

Governor Adeleke must roll out a clear strategy to rationalise the processes of government and retool it into a line and efficient machine. This should be reflected in the medium-term plan and then the 2024 budget. The present economic crisis is an opportunity for revaluation and fresh thinking.