By Ben Agande

ABUJA—Federal Executive Council, FEC, yesterday, hinted that 220 Federal Government’s parastatals, agencies and commissions may be scrapped in line with the recommendations of the Steve Oronsaye committee, which recommended the down-sizing, merger and outright scrapping of some government agencies to cut cost of governance.

Similarly, the council also approved a new Fertiliser Bill, which prescribes a seven-year jail sentence for any person found guilty of adulterating fertiliser.

Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Dr. Reuben Abati, told newsmen after the meeting, yesterday, that of the 541 federal parastatals, commissions and agencies of the Federal Government, the Oronsaye committee recommended that 321 be retained, which was accepted by the White Paper Drafting Committee.

Abati said the final decision on reports of the White Paper Committee would be taken when FEC concludes deliberation on the report at its next sitting.

He said the essence of the proposed exercise was to engender efficiency, reduce cost of governance towards delivering quality service to Nigerians and not to cause Nigerians discomfort.

He said: “The Oronsaye Committee considered suggestions, recommendations from different quarters and in total that committee looked at 541 federal parastatals, commissions and agencies. Out of that, the white paper drafting committee accepted 321, noted some recommendations and rejected some.

“At the end of the day, FEC will take final decision on this recommendation and when that is done, the white paper will be made public.

“All of these are being done to ensure efficiency, to reduce the cost of government, to avoid leakages and wastages and to make government far more effective in delivering quality service to Nigerians.

“This is not targeted at pushing anybody out of work. This is not an exercise in making life difficult for anybody. This is just government restructuring for better level of efficiency. People should not be unduly anxious.”

Meanwhile, FEC, yesterday, approved a new Fertilizer Bill that set seven years jail term for fertilizer adulteration in the country.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Akinwumi Adesina, who disclosed this to newsmen after the FEC meeting, said when operational, the law is expected to sanitise the production of fertilizer in the country and reduce the adulteration of fertilizer.