Ex-CBN Director urges FG to reduce cost of governance

A former Director, Budgetary Department at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr Titus Okunrounmu,  has advised the Federal Government to reduce the cost of governance in order to stem the country’s debt profile.

Okunrounmu, who gave the advice while speaking with the journalists on Thursday in Ota, Ogun, described the list of ministerial portfolio on Wednesday as over bloated for a country with huge debt profile.

According to him, funding the nation’s recurrent budget with borrowing does not need these large number of ministers and bloated special assistants, which inevitably must allow for allowances and official vehicles.

“These excess baggage was not projected for in the 2023 Federal Budget and the revenue estimates could not cover the recurrent budget.

“In addition, the federal government needs financial discipline to curb corruption in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to reduce debt profile in the country,” he said.

Okunrounmu advised the federal government to redouble its efforts and work against policy somersault to encourage influx of foreign investors into the country.