The recent announcement by Donald Trump to set up Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E) under Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, as a one stop solution to bureaucracy related inefficiencies and excessive public expenditure, has already got the internet divided. Some hail it as the greatest political revolution in modern American history while some are skeptical of this fusion of business and politics.
According to a statement released by Trump, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will use the D.O.G.E. office to dismantle government bureaucracy, reduce excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures and restructure the federal agencies. This development is geared towards ensuring efficiency and accountability in the American system.
This move, made by the U.S. elect-Trump, is the first of its kind and sends shockwaves throughout the world. It sparks an important question: Could a similar ministry be the key to addressing deep-rooted challenges faced by developing countries like Nigeria and India.
Countries such as Nigeria, India and other developing economies have continued to grapple with deep corruption among elected government officials, mismanagement of funds, red tape, and stagnant government policies. Growth-driven economic activity is not the only causality; an under-performing bureaucracy also destroys trust in the governance, impairs foreign investment, and prevents access to required services.
According to a research report by the World Economic Forum, corruption alone costs developing nations $1.26 trillion every year.
A D.O.G.E. type ministry would be revolutionary in these nations, curbing the wastage of public resources, facilitating the provision of services, and making the administration more business-minded. On the other hand, the establishment of such a ministry in less developed countries introduces its own challenges as well as intricacies.
Here are some case studies of corruption faced by Nigeria and India.
Case Study of Challenges Faced by Nigeria
Nigeria Case Study of Fuel Subsidy Corruption
The 2012 fuel scandal in Nigeria exposed fuel corruption schemes that affected the oil industry. Government officials and private businessmen siphoned billions of dollars for fuel subsidies. According to Africa News, at least 437,000 barrels are stolen daily in Nigeria. This episode has worsened the economic tensions in the country.
Nigeria Public Procurement Corruption
Similarly, for years, the public procurement processes in Nigeria have become a joke, inefficient, and filled with corrupt practices. Due to a lack of transparency, government-determined projects tend to be costlier, take longer periods to complete, and, in most cases, never complete.
Case Study of Challenges Faced by India
India Elite Exam Corruption Scam
Al Jazeera reported mounting evidence against India’s top examination agency for alleged discrepancies in admission into medical schools earlier this year. At the heart of these disputes is National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET), a national exam for prospective doctors in India, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), an independent organization under India’s Ministry of Education that administers the country’s exams.
While many examples of corruption, red tapism and inefficiency have come to light recently in India, there is mounting pressure on the government to introduce transparency and end economy related woes of the citizens.
How can Nigeria and India Benefits from Project D.O.G.E. ?
Accountability and Transparency
It will increase responsibility and openness, thereby limiting corruption within government by establishing strict monitoring of expenditure and allocation of resources. DOGE could simplify procedures so that bureaucracies do not interfere with the provision of services and the conduct of business.
Efficient and Responsive Government
This would create a capacity for a quicker and more effective government that is able to respond to the needs of the citizens. Third, by improving the efficiency of resource mobilization, a DOGE ministry would also be able to shift resources to the most essential sectors, such as health care, education and infrastructure.
Boost Foreign investment
Lastly, there would be great emphasis on the efficiency of government which would increase the amount of foreign direct investments by enhancing the faith on a more transparent and stable business environment.
All in all, DOGE could facilitate ways for developing countries to redesign the way they govern themselves as entrepreneurs, creating more opportunities, more innovation and more trust in the public authorities.