Avoiding reforms that harm public trust

Does Resolving the Fuel Crisis Have to Be Painful? In last week’s post, I mentioned that “short-term pain for long-term gain” is inevitable for reforming the fuel supply sector. Recently, the President echoed a similar sentiment, stating that the country would need to endure some pain before seeing a breakthrough in the fuel crisis. But the question remains: Does resolving this crisis need to be painful—and for how long? While I acknowledge that years of mismanagement have set us on a difficult path, and some level of sacrifice may be required from Nigerians. However, the key issue is: how much hardship, and for how long? I believe the hardship can be better managed. Without careful oversight, this pain could drag on unnecessarily, with far-reaching consequences across the entire economy. Here are five key steps the government can take to mitigate the impact of these reforms: 1. Public Trust and Transparency Nigerians are more likely to endure short-term challenges if they trust the process and believe the long-term benefits are tangible. Transparency about how savings from subsidy removal are re-invested—whether in infrastructure, education, or healthcare—is critical to maintaining public support. Continuous communication and clear updates are essential to building trust. 2. Gradual Implementation of Reforms Sudden changes often lead to immediate hardships, especially with sharp fuel price hikes. A phased approach, accompanied by clear communication and support programs, can ease the burden on the masses. While it may feel like the train has left the station, I believe the current state can still be reviewed and restructured with defined milestones—especially as the subsidy is still partially in play. 3. Strengthen Social Safety Nets Well-designed social safety nets are crucial to protecting the most vulnerable populations. Targeted subsidies for transportation or direct support to low-income households can help minimize the pain. While some efforts have been made, these programs must be structured to avoid corruption and ensure the right people receive the aid. 4. Mass Transit Investment Long-term investments in efficient public transportation are essential. Reducing reliance on personal vehicles will lower overall fuel demand and ease pressure on prices. This is especially important considering that much of our fuel is wasted in traffic. A reliable, affordable mass transit system will benefit the economy and the environment in the long run. 5. Ensure Price Stability While initial price increases are expected, the frequency and rate of these hikes must be manageable. Citizens need the ability to plan their expenses, so any future increases should be gradual and predictable, allowing for stability. In conclusion, while some discomfort may be inevitable during these reforms, we must manage, mitigate, and minimize unnecessary pain where possible. What do you think? How can we balance the need for reform with minimizing the pain for citizens?

In my pre-Bain life I did a fair amount work focused on making government payments accessible, easy to use, and modern. Recent DOGE efforts draw attention to the need for improvement, but I fear the result will be chaos. But it is a wake-up call for how we can do better. Payment enabled eGov solutions ought to be seamless, secure, and efficient. Instead, they are often a mess of inefficiency, manual processes, and legacy systems that frustrate both citizens and businesses. Governments can (and must) do better. Based on my work with municipal, state/provincial, and national agencies here in the U.S. and abroad, here are my suggestions: 1️⃣ Go digital—but do it right Paper checks and manual processing should be relics of the past. e-payments reduce costs, increase speed, and improve security. But modernization needs to be done strategically, not as a rushed power grab. The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) stresses the importance of clear policies to ensure smooth implementation. 2️⃣ Prioritize security and access controls One of DOGE’s biggest missteps was attempting to override Treasury’s existing safeguards. To retain trust, governments need to implement robust security protocols, multi-factor authentication, and access restrictions to prevent unauthorized use of sensitive financial data. 3️⃣ Build transparency and accountability Every payment should be auditable, and every decision should be accountable. Establishing clear oversight mechanisms prevents fraud and ensures public trust. Solutions like real-time transaction monitoring and transparent reporting help keep everyone honest. 4️⃣ Leverage APIs and interoperability Government payment systems should integrate seamlessly with banking infrastructure, tax agencies, and social services. APIs allow for better data exchange, reducing processing delays and ensuring more efficient fund distribution. 5️⃣ Ensure 24/7 availability Citizens rely on government payments for essentials. Government agencies can take advantage of round-the-clock payment rails. But real time payment infrastructure isn't enough. Gov agencies need redundancy measures in place to prevent downtime and must streamline internal processes to ensure that benefits and refunds aren’t delayed by bureaucratic inefficiencies. 6️⃣ Use smart reporting and analytics Robust data analytics can help detect anomalies, optimize agency cash flow management, and prevent fraud. Government entities should invest in AI-driven insights to improve forecasting and decision-making. The Path Forward Government payment modernization isn’t just about technology—it’s about trust. DOGE’s overreach highlights the dangers of prioritizing speed over thoughtful execution. The alternative? A strategic, well-governed shift toward digital, secure, and interoperable payments that serve the public good. The stakes are too high to get this wrong. Let’s make sure we get it right. (photo is me in Islamabad back in 2016)

The iPro Realty Ltd., Brokerage collapse is not just the biggest real estate scandal in recent memory in Ontario — it will be a stress test for how this province regulates. When over $8 million disappears from a brokerage’s trust accounts, issues like this often go wider and deeper — to the heart of how Ontario’s delegated regulators, from real estate to travel to automobiles to electrical safety, protect the public interest. Veteran and highly respected former Assitant Deputy Minister Frank Denton Counsel Public Affairs and I argue that this moment demands evidence-based reform, not political reaction. Our advice: • For government: Act wisely on the facts. Strengthen oversight where it’s needed — but don’t dismantle a model that, when done right, brings expertise and agility. • For regulators: Raise the bar on transparency, enforcement, and board accountability and alignment with government. • For consumers and professionals: Expect more, do your homework and demand better. https://lnkd.in/e9YftqTX #Governance #Regulation #PublicTrust #Leadership

Natalie Duffus and I quoted in this important new ENDS report article, reporting on rumours that Number 10 is re-evaluating BNG. https://lnkd.in/e96U2EsE We make the strong case that repealing BNG now would be a really bad idea. Here are 4 key reasons: 1) BNG looks like it is a major improvement on the previous planning system in which nature was implicitly given zero weight in decision-making. 2) BNG is trying to do two things: it is trying to integrate biodiversity impacts into development planning so that new developments avoid damaging valuable habitats, and it is trying to create new habitat to compensate for the losses. Whilst BNG has not generated a large amount of private investment in nature, our preliminary data suggests it may well be acting as an effective deterrent for damaging valuable habitats – so in that sense it probably is doing its job at incentivising avoidance. This is a really good thing. 3) This policy has been in development in various forms for 15 years. A lot of people have put in a huge amount of effort, and pioneers have taken major risks to try to make it work and develop business models based on BNG. If these were taken away now, the government risks dramatically losing trust, and seriously impairing its ability to implement ambitious nature policy reforms for the foreseeable future. The effectiveness of nature markets is hugely determined by how much people trust that those regulations will stay in place in the long term. Taking one away now could irreparably damage that trust and severely damage all future nature policies. 4) The world is closely following BNG as countries around the world look to develop their own nature markets. Withdrawing BNG would again send a devastating signal to countries around the world looking to implement their own environmental policy reforms.

Every day, we rely on the federal government in ways we might not even realize—whether it’s ensuring our food and water are safe, keeping air travel secure, or responding to natural disasters. These essential services are made possible by skilled, nonpartisan federal employees who work tirelessly to serve the public interest. However, recent proposals threaten to undermine this system by allowing presidents and political appointees to arbitrarily fire qualified civil servants, which could compromise the quality and responsiveness of government services. Our government isn’t perfect, but rather than tearing it down, we should focus on modernizing it. At the Partnership for Public Service, we’ve identified five key priorities to improve government performance: 1. Develop better government leaders 2. Make it easier to hire and keep great public servants 3. Hold poor performers accountable 4. Unleash the power of data and tech to achieve better public outcomes 5. Provide efficient, customer-friendly services to the people These reforms are critical to restoring trust in our government and ensuring it serves everyone, regardless of political beliefs. A nonpartisan civil service is fundamental to this vision. Let’s focus on constructive solutions that strengthen our government’s ability to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. Read the full reform agenda here: https://lnkd.in/g7QqG_eA

This is how we maintain the precious trust that Singaporeans have in the Government. When the Covid-19 pandemic broke, the authorities introduced the TraceTogether and SafeEntry digital systems. During the acute phase of the pandemic, these were necessary for our contact tracing efforts and the implementation of community safe management measures. However, there were concerns over Government surveillance, the honeypot risks for cyber-attacks due to the sensitive nature and large volume of personal data collected, and misuse or abuse of personal data for purposes unconnected to pandemic control efforts. The third prong of risks identified above led to the Government promulgating specific legislation in 2021 to specify and limit the police's access to and use of TraceTogether data to only seven categories of serious crimes, including murder and terrorism. As the threat of a severe Covid-19 outbreak abates, it is only right that the Goverment now dismantle the digital infrastructure for TraceTogether and SafeEntry, and delete all the personal data collected. The sole exception being the TraceTogether data connected to a murder case in May 2020. Public trust is a precious asset that Singapore has to enable quick, effective and even intrusive Government actions to resolve problems and deal with crises. The quid pro quo is Government transparency, honesty, self-restraint, and accountability. With the sunsetting of TraceTogether and SafeEntry, and the deletions of the associated personal data, the Government has demonstrated why it is worthy of that trust. #personaldata #tracetogether #publicpolicy #governance #publictrust

Holding Power to Account - It Shouldn’t feel like Bathing a Cat 🙂 How do we fix a system where career survival beats public service—and spin beats substance? Simple: make it really inconvenient to be corrupt, self-serving, or allergic to truth. Too many politicians and officials treat the public like a PR obstacle. They dodge accountability with the agility of a cat avoiding a bath—often with help from donor dollars, corporate lobbyists, or yes, even well-funded unions pushing their own wish lists. Let’s fix the system before it starts auto-correcting “public good” to “party goals.” 7 Reforms for Real Accountability (and fewer press conferences about ‘miscommunication’) 1. Independent Oversight That Actually Oversees Give watchdogs real bite. Not just a title, a desk, and a fax machine from 1997. 2. Radical Transparency If it affects the public, publish it. If it can’t survive daylight, it probably shouldn’t survive the next budget cycle. 3. Whistleblower Protections Nobody should need a lawyer, a burner phone, and a new identity to report misconduct. Protect them like democracy depends on it—because it does. 4. Influence Reform Lobbyists, donors, unions—if they’re shaping policy, the public should know. • Cap donations. • Publish lobbying meetings. • Institute post-office cooling-off periods longer than a long weekend. 5. Rewire Incentives No more career climbing via loyalty oaths and echo chambers. Term limits, competitive seats, and promotion based on service—not how many times you’ve said “we’re listening” while doing the opposite. 6. Digital Accountability Build tools that track votes, statements, promises, and donor ties. Because memory fades—but screenshots are forever. 7. Reward Truth-Telling Normalise leaders who admit mistakes, listen to critics, and choose the messy truth over the easy fiction. Let’s make sincerity less rare than a bipartisan photo op. You don’t have to be perfect to lead. Just more loyal to the public than your own press release. #Integrity #Democracy #Lobbying #Transparency #TruthInPolitics

A recent BBC investigation reveals that the UK government proceeded with a major reorganization of local councils without commissioning its own cost analysis, instead relying on a lobby group’s projection of £2.9 billion in savings. That same group has since reassessed its estimates and now warns such mergers could cost money rather than save it. For Canadian municipalities, the lesson is clear: proposals to consolidate or reorganize services often promise efficiency, but without rigorous, independent financial analysis those promises can unravel. Restructuring is complex, and evidence-based planning is essential if we want to avoid eroding public trust while pursuing reform. https://lnkd.in/gGucDpxf

When numbers defy reality, credibility collapses. The latest Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) report has reignited debate on our audit system. Some argue the report should not have been published before parliament. I disagree. Transparency is fundamental — reports must be public. But transparency without credibility is meaningless. When an audit cites Rs 375 trillion in irregularities — 27 times the federal budget and 3.5x GDP — it does not promote accountability, it invites ridicule. Instead of building trust, such numbers expose the poor quality of our audit process. True accountability rests on two pillars: Transparency — citizens and parliament must know how public funds are used. Credibility — figures must be accurate, professionally vetted, and reliable enough to guide policymaking. Without reform — induction of qualified professionals, strong quality controls, and leadership rooted in the audit profession — the AGP’s reports will remain unreliable. And transparency without credibility will continue to waste resources and erode trust. Good audits don’t just flag irregularities — they build confidence in governance. https://lnkd.in/dDV2Takk

In democratic societies, political financing plays a critical role in shaping governance and policy decisions. However, the transparency surrounding these financial contributions can greatly influence public trust and the integrity of political systems. The case of Elon Musk reportedly supporting Donald Trump's political campaign with over $200 million—though hypothetical—raises the broader issue of political financing disclosures in the U.S. and how similar practices (or the lack thereof) affect countries like Ghana. Political Financing Disclosure in the U.S. In the United States, political donations are subject to strict regulations and disclosure requirements. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) mandates that contributions above a certain threshold be reported, including the identity of donors. This level of transparency serves several purposes: Accountability: Disclosure helps voters assess potential influences on candidates’ policies and decisions. Corruption Prevention: Disclosure deters quid pro quo arrangements where donors expect favorable treatment in return for financial support. While these laws exist, the system is not without flaws. In contrast, Ghana lacks a robust framework for political financing disclosures. Businesses and individuals often finance major political parties without any legal obligation to disclose these contributions publicly. This opacity presents several challenges: Increased Risk of Corruption: Without disclosure, there's little to prevent businesses from influencing government contracts, policies, or appointments in exchange for financial support. This fosters an environment ripe for corruption. Erosion of Public Trust: Non disclosure leads to suspicion and diminishes trust in both politicians and the democratic process. How Disclosure Helps Fight Corruption Introducing comprehensive disclosure laws in Ghana could significantly reduce corruption and enhance democratic integrity. Here’s how: Transparency in Governance: Publicly accessible information about political donations would enable citizens and watchdog organizations to monitor potential conflicts of interest. Deterrence of Illicit Activities: Knowing that donations must be disclosed can discourage individuals and businesses from offering money in exchange for political favors. Strengthening Democratic Institutions: Transparent financing ensures political decisions are made in the public’s best interest rather than for private gain. While political financing is essential for sustaining democratic processes, transparency is key to ensuring that these contributions do not undermine governance. The U.S. model of disclosure—despite its imperfections—offers valuable lessons for countries like Ghana, where opaque funding continues to fuel corruption and unequal political competition. Strengthening disclosure requirements in Ghana would be a crucial step toward curbing corruption and fostering a healthier, more transparent democracy.