Mr. Ibrahim Arabi, Ag DG BPSR recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between BPSR and DFID-PERL led by Ms Ekanem Bassey in his Office in Abuja. The renewal of the MOU will enable the Bureau open more platforms for government reform programmes.
In a brief, Arabi gave the breakdown of activities of the Bureau, tracking some of its salient achievements; such as the maiden induction programme for Board Members of Federal Parastatals in other to improve corporate governance and management efficiency. He noted that the induction programme has generated a lot of interests and would hence forth be an annual scheduled programme for the Bureau; this implies that it would be included in its budget of 2019 and subsequently.
The Ag DG informed that the Bureau deployed its Self Assessment Tool (SAT) in some Federal Agencies and Parastatals among which are: the Nigeria Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), Nigeria Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), NEITI, and NCC. The outcomes of the Self Assessment Tools are impressive and have given rise to the call for it to be extended to other MDAs.
The Bureau in addition has conducted Institutional Assessment in the following federal agencies and commissions namely: Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Police Service Commission and Police Complaint and Rapid Response Unit. It has also conducted study on Bail is Free in Nigeria Police Stations. BPSR has conducted monthly Lunch Time Seminar Series on reform critical issues such as ; Challenges in Accessing Housing Finance Mortgage; obtaining Tax Clearance Certificate; others are the Implementation of National Health Insurance Scheme; and Improving Police Efficiency (SARS).
Mr. Arabi said that the Bureau also conducted study on reducing waiting time to see Doctors in government hospitals; Guidance on Strategic Mgt; Governance of Agencies and Parastatals’- Strengthening Agencies and Parastatals for better service delivery; Compendium of Public Service Reforms in Nigeria 2015-2017. The Corporate Governance Manual and Tackling Youth Unemployment in Nigeria- A Policy Note, website score-ranking among others.
According to him, the challenges of Youth unemployment are enormous and that BPSR has designed a road map for Government in tackling the menace. This was a result of a roundtable of experts in diverse sectors that came together to address the hydra-headed monster in order to give the youths the confidence to forge ahead. He mentioned the successes recorded in the Ease of Doing Business (EOO3) as part of the policy reforms enhanced by the Bureau.
Arabi thanked the Governance Adviser- Ms. Bassey and the Team for their unflinching support over the years. He equally used the medium to appeal for more funding from them as the task ahead gets more challenging.
In her response, the Governance Adviser appreciated the significant works done and the achievements recorded by the Bureau and particularly congratulated the Ag. DG for the brilliant initiatives. She further explained the restraints on the DFID funding based on the limited budget made available by the UKAID. However, she reiterated the willingness of DFID to continue its support to the Bureau as the renewed assistance will enable BPSR implement its mandate to initiate more reforms and coordinate government policies for utmost result. She expressed conformity in terms of the Bureau’s increasing collaboration with Citizens’ Engagement Initiatives.
The Team expressed its readiness to support and further strengthen the BPSR’s ability to participate in the various open governance forum in addition to its other programmes.
Commending the efforts of BPSR, the Team said the Bureau has confidently been able to build institutions beyond persons which are a hallmark of transitional social development.