The House of Representatives says the Stephen Oronsaye Committee report on restructuring and rationalisation of Federal Government parastatals, commissions and agencies cannot override its verdict.
The Oronsaye report, issued in 2012, sought to reduce the numbers of departments and agencies of government.
Rep. Ibrahim Isiaka, the Chairman, ad hoc committee on the restructuring of government agencies, parastatals and commission, said this at the public hearing in Abuja on Wednesday.
Isiaka allayed fear being expressed by some of the agencies, adding that there was nothing to fear in the restructuring as proposed by the Oransanya White Paper.
He said that the committee would not act without going through due process, saying: “We are not going to scrap your head behind you.”
According to him, whatever is contained in the White Paper, the only institution that can tamper with the scraping of any agency, parastatal or commission is the National Assembly, which is by an act of parliament
He said that there would be recommendations, but added that it must come through the parliament.
Isiaka however assured some of the agencies, commissions and parastatals that the Lawmakers would treat every document justly.
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The committee assured the agencies of fair hearing, stating: “We will invite all organisations, where you will have the opportunity to speak.
“We assure you that many of the fears you are entertaining regarding laying off of staff, we will not allow that and look into your document.”
It would be recalled that President Bola Tinubu has issued a directive to implement the long held Oronsaye Committee report in what he described as his government’s move to cut the cost of governance.
The Federal Executive Council approved the full implementation of the Oronsaye Report on February 26.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, went on to inaugurate an eight-member Committee on March 7.
The committee was saddled with the responsibility of implementing recommendations in the report within 12 weeks.
Meanwhile, Dr. Okhai, Ajingi, National President, Directors Guild of Nigeria and Chairman, Federation of Registered Nollywood Guilds and Association, has called for the preservation of Nigeria Film and Video Censors Board autonomy.
He said that this would safeguard the future of Nollywood, which he described as a vital cultural economic asset.
Ajingi said: “By upholding the NFCVB’s independence, the committee can ensure that Nigeria’s cinema thrives, entertains and inspires audiences both domestically and internationally.”