1,106 Special Advisers: What Exactly is Wrong With Governor Ayade?

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With the current economic situation, caused by the global decline in prices of crude oil, and with states groaning about the condition that we are in and many of them trying to cut down the costs of governance, Governor Ben Ayade of Cross Rivers seems not to concerned with his recent appointments.

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Cross Rivers Governor, Ben Ayade

Cross River, one of the states with the smallest monthly federal allocation and with a monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of N1.2 billion is currently running one of the largest cabinets in the country.

So far, Ayade has appointed 1,106 persons into various positions. The positions were in the categories of special advisers, special assistants, personal assistants as well as the chairmen and members of boards, commissions, departments and agencies.

A breakdown of this figure showed that 799 were appointed into various boards, commissions and agencies, while the remaining 307 were engaged as special advisers, senior special advisers, special assistants and personal assistants. Others were categorized as personal assistants to paramount rulers, liaison officers and special assistants on religious affairs among others.

The governor justifies the large size of his political appointees on the grounds of expanding government as a way of reducing poverty; increase democratic participation and improve the value of service delivery.

While it is understandable that the governor has reserved rights to make such appointments, it should rather be clear that running a large government increases the cost of governance, harbours corruption and leaves the situation worse. Ayade seeks to end extreme poverty, but one of the causes of poverty is the unreasonable cost of running government – one of which comes through bogus appointments.

It should be a cause for concern on how Governor Ayade intends to pay these special appointees, considering the financial position of the state. Almost 40 per cent of those appointed are yet to be allocated office space or given appointment letters,let alone enjoying the statutory benefits of the appointment.

What exactly will the Special Advisers do?

Wait. Have we considered the productive capacity of the boards, commissions and agencies that Ayade's appointees will fill up? Will their services add value to to the people? Are these appointments not just what some people call 'political patronage' to score cheap points. So many questions.

What should be clear is that apart from the attendant wastages that come with so many officials in a single cabinet, it will be quite difficult if not totally impossible for Governor Ayade to relate with these special advisers and effectively monitor what they do. Their pieces of (un)useful advice will keep turning the ship of the state up and down.

Cross Rivers is a state with a rich drive of investment. The state is the third with highest Internally Generated Revenues, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics. It should also be noted that the state is not spared from the current harsh economic realities. What should be the top priority of the government should be to create enabling environment for small businesses to thrive, with infrastructures in place for better living. The focus should be changed from luring young people into politics with appointments as the fastest means to put food on their table.

Ayade should learn from other state governors that have reduced the size of government with appointments and salary cut. His style of governance should embrace value rather than accommodating and rewarding those that 'ushered' him into power with political appointments.

Meanwhile, we await Governor Ayade's appointment of another 100 aides, from Ikom Local Government area of the state.
 
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