Ahead of his inauguration as Ondo State Governor on February 24, Chief RotimiAkeredolu set the ball rolling with the formation of three committees. First: a 21-member Transition Committee headed by DrFunsoKupolokun, which is expected to “interact with the incumbent government of Ondo State to ensure a seamless transition and effective receipt of detailed handover notes.”
Second: a 158-member Strategic Development and Policy Implementation Committee headed by MrAgboolaAjayi. Akeredolu said it was to “develop a detailed sectoral policy and programme document which would be called ‘A Blueprint to Progress in Ondo State 2017 – 2021’. He added: ”Its document shall guide government towards effective service delivery and a purposeful tenure…The underlining focus of its assignment is also to guide government to deliver on the popular five cardinal programmes which formed the very kernel of our campaign promises.”
Third: a 78-member committee, chaired by AlhajiJamiuEkungba, to plan the inauguration of the incoming administration. Akeredolu said the incoming government needed to plan well to overcome the state’s current challenges, including the collapse of industries, unpaid salaries and pension, and high level of youth unemployment. He observed: “Our young people are unemployed and traumatised and are fast losing confidence in themselves and established institutions while families wallow in arrested hope and forlorn aspirations.”
It is unclear why Akeredolu thinks that preparing for his inauguration and administration requires so many people. For instance, the sheer size of the 158-member committee raises questions about its manageability. Indeed, the same concern applies to the 78-member committee.
Yes, there are always debts to be repaid in politics. But that should be done decently. The governor-elect’s pledge not to fail the people who voted him into office cannot excuse the constitution of unwieldy transition committees. ”The vision and mission of our administration is to lead a patriotic, highly inspired and competent team to rescue the ship of our state,” Akeredolu was quoted as saying, adding: “I intend to help rebuild our economy, resuscitate damaged infrastructure, restore hope and return our state to a free and prosperous land.”
Akeredolu’s dreams are desirable. But to offer them as a premise for bloated committees is another matter. His words: “To ensure that this is done, I believe a clear chart must be made to show us where we want to go and how we intend to get there and to know what we want to do and how we intend to achieve within specific and determined time frame.”
How many people does he really need to help him chart a correct course? There is a proverb he may find useful: Too many cooks spoil the broth.
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