A former Senate leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba has thrown his weight behind the recent call for a drastic reduction in the cost of governance in Nigeria.
Senator Ndoma-Egba bared his mind during an interview he granted The Punch yesterday, and monitored by our correspondent.
While commending the Federal Government for heeding the calls by concerned Nigerians for the reduction in the cost of governance, especially the official convey of political appointees, Ndoma-Egba said some official trips were needless.
He was of the opinion that officials in foreign embassies can effectively represent Nigeria’s interests in whatever capacity outside the shores of the country.
According to Ndoma-Egba, “Official entourages are only an aspect of the cost of governance. This reduction, though a token, is a good sign. There are many components and aspects to the cost of governance. For example, some trips are needless, as our embassies out there can represent the country. Fleets for government officials are excessive.”
On the spate of insecurity in the country, he said Nigerians expect more extreme action from the Federal Government in order to guarantee the safety of lives and property in Nigeria.
Ndoma-Egba described the current security challenges in the country as frightening and dire, adding that all hands must be on deck to surmount it.
In a general assessment of the President Tinubu’s led administration including the economy, he said all hope was not lost as the government had lately made concerted efforts to effect the needed change.
Ndoma-Egba, a legal practitioner and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, particularly applauded the government for ensuring the independence of the judiciary, removal of fuel subsidy, merger of the exchange rates among other feats.
“President Bola Tinubu has been very daring. He has taken decisions that the previous administration dared not take; for example, the removal of fuel subsidy, the merger of the exchange rates, dealing systematically with corruption, non-interference with the judiciary, etc. The signs are promising. Nigerians however expect much more from him as their leader, who had made promises to them. I do not doubt that he has the capacity and endurance to do more and even restructure the country”, he added.
