No fewer than 140 officials are set to track and assess the performance of federal ministries, departments, and agencies by the end of this month. The officials, drawn from 35 federal government ministries, departments, and agencies, will conduct the assessment involving permanent secretaries and directors of planning. The assessment will consider modalities, key performance indicators, and reporting mechanisms.
The disclosure was made during the third technical retreat for delivery desk officers of federal ministries in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The retreat, headed by Mrs. Hadiza Bala-Usman, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, focused on the implementation of presidential priorities and ministerial deliverables. Bala-Usman emphasized President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to sacking ministers who fail to perform their duties.
The senior official, working closely with the Central Delivery Coordination Unit, shared that the assessment would cover various aspects, such as customer experience at airports in the Ministry of Aviation and the growth of fertilizer use per hectare in agriculture.
Furthermore, Bala-Usman announced a quarterly assessment of the 47 ministers appointed by the President starting in January 2024. The assessment will be based on a performance bond signed by each minister and permanent secretary, outlining deliverables within the 2024 budget cycle. The annual scorecard will be reviewed during periodic retreats, and the first evaluation period follows a three-day cabinet retreat held from November 1 to 3, 2023.
Legal experts and civil society organizations expressed diverse opinions on the assessment initiative. Some, like Chief Mike Ozekhome, questioned the priorities of the government, citing pressing issues such as inflation and poverty.
, including the Chairman of Civil Society Organisations in Rivers State, Enafaa Georgewill, supported the move, likening ministers to employees who should be held accountable for performance. The call for the dismissal of underperforming ministers and those involved in corruption was echoed by various individuals, emphasizing the need for accountability and discipline in governance.