Public Sector Reforms Failure: Don calls for fiscal discipline

***Effective Utilisation Of Resources, Curb Corruption

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

PROF. Olajide Ifedayo Ibietan of Federal University Lokoja (FUL) has called for fiscal discipline, robust financial management practices and effective utilisation of national and human resources at the central and sub-national governments in Nigeria.

Prof. Ibietan made the call while delivering the 21st Inaugural Lecture of the FUL with the topic: ”Why Reforms Fail Nigeria’s Bureaucracy: A Public Administrationist’s perspective” on Wednesday in Lokoja.

The Professor of Public Administration attributed the failure of Nigerian public sector reforms to numerous factors including the Fraud Triangle as a factor for corruption; obvious manifestation of Peter Principle; weak public accountability mechanism as well as structural barriers

Others are the issue of corruption underscored by the phenomenon of Fraud Triangle; ethical deficits resulting from attitudinal slant and ineffective implementation of laws as well as unhelpful and unnecessary partisanship of bureaucratic and governing elites and bureaucratic rigidities

He said that to address the malignant tumour in the nation’s public bureaucracy, governance and public affairs, fiscal discipline with robust and effective utilisation of resources must be prioritised.

The Inaugural Lecturer noted that stiffer penalties and objective or determined implementation of necessary sanctions would be required to permanently address the hydra-headed monster of corruption in public service saying, “An illness that defies medication will ultimately kill.

He advocated government strengthening of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative saying it will enable governments (across tiers) to divest themselves of functions or services in which they have the least comparative advantage

Prof. Ibietan further pointed out the need for the entrenchment of a culture of robust citizen engagement with leaders through constructive dialogue and feedback describing it as a major platform for facilitating bottom-top approach to governance.

The Don further called for conscious and deliberate efforts toward a total de-politicisation of institutions saddled with ensuring moral rectitude, probity and accountability in Nigeria’s public sector.

“There is a need for Academic Practitioners’ synergy obtainable in some countries (South Africa and Kenya) on the continent to solve problems in Nigeria’s public bureaucracy”, he said.

In Opening address, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Lokoja, said Inaugural lectures held a special place in the academic tradition of the university.

He said that they serve as a platform for showcasing the intellectual prowess and scholarly contributions of “our esteemed professors.”

Prof. Akinwumi said that the subject of the 21st Inaugural Lecture, “Why Reforms Fail in Nigeria’s Public Bureaucracy: A Public Administrationist’s Perspective”, was central to the development and progress of Nigeria.

“The public bureaucracy, as we all know, is the engine room of government policies and programmes. However, it is also a system that has been plagued with challenges, inefficiencies, and, as Professor Ibietan will argue, a track record of reform failures.

“We are confident that Professor Ibietan will bring his extensive knowledge and experience to this discussion. The timing of this lecture could not be more pertinent

“As Nigeria stands at a crossroads in its development, the question of how to effectively reform our public institutions is more pressing than ever”, he said. (Ends)