The House of Representatives has said that the Oronsaye Committee report on restructuring and rationalisation of Federal Government establishments cannot override its verdict.

Chairman, House of Representatives ad hoc Committee on the Restructuring of Government Agencies, Parastatals and Commissions, Ibrahim Isiaka, made the assertion at a public hearing in Abuja on Wednesday, allaying fear of some agencies in the restructuring as proposed by Stephen Oronsaye Committee white paper.

The Oronsaye report, first issued in 2012, seeks to reduce the number of departments and agencies of government. The President Bola Tinubu administration had said it would merge and scrap some agencies in line with recommendations made by the Oronsaye report.

The report suggested that 263 of the statutory agencies be cut to 161, 38 agencies be scrapped, 52 be merged and 14 be reverted to departments in various ministries.

Isiaka assured the agencies that lawmakers would not act without going through due process.

Noting that lawmakers would treat every document justly, Isiala maintained that “in any area we have to establish, we will and where we need to enact a law we will do that.”

He further assured the agencies of a fair hearing, adding that “we will invite all organisations where you will have the opportunity to speak.”