By Kemi Olatunde

|

The need for Civil Servants in Ondo State to be more active and focused to enhance productivity in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies with a view to promoting Project Management discipline has been stressed.

The state’s Head of Service, Pastor Kayode Ogundele spoke while declaring open a one day capacity building workshop in the state in collaboration with the AIG-Imoukhuede foundation on project management and process improvement for some selected Directors and Deputy Directors in the public service of the state in Akure on Tuesday.

According to him, it is important that the process of carrying out public assignments improves, noting that with the training in place, there should be continuous upskill in the State’s Human Capital Development.

He explained that it is crucial that there is effective management in public service work, adding that the exercise will assist in the acquisition of management skills for effective and efficient public service delivery.

Speaking further, he stated that the exercise will also ensure that State’s projects are properly structured in line with Project Management principles and incorporate Process Improvement techniques for both old and new State ventures.

While frowning at the lackadaisical attitude of some workers in discharging their duties, he pointed out that if care is not taken, the public service may cease to exist in few years, pleading with participants to effectively coordinate their subordinate.

Describing training and retraining as a critical aspect of process improvement, he stressed the need for workers to attend necessary training programmes for their overall development.

Ogundele who advised Directors not to give room for indiscipline, urged them to take government business as theirs in order not to become irrelevant.

He charged them to always ensure that lectures which ODSIP Change Ambassador in the MDAs receive on quarterly basis are cascaded to other members of staff saying “if your Change Ambassador has not been doing so, you have the right to hold him/her accountable.”

He expressed appreciation to the Resource Persons, the pioneer Permanent Secretary of the Reform Office, Mr. Olugbenga Akingbasote and Administrative Secretary of the Ministry of Lands and Housing, Arch. Olugbenga Ogunro.

Giving a lecture on “effective project management and public sector managers and teams, Arch. Ogunro listed effective communication, risk management, adherence to regulation, transparency and accountability, ethical consideration and knowledge sharing and best practices among others as criteria that will enhance the ability to successfully deliver projects.

In his welcome address, Administrative Secretary, Reform Office, Mr. Adewale Omomowo stressed the need for all to effect transformational changes across the MDAs, stating that they should take on a disciple of change in their respective MDAs in order to sustain positive attitudinal change.

 While saluting their continued dedication to the cause of reforms and good practices in the various MDAs, he admonished them to “do better by taking advantage of the low hanging fruits to bear practical initiatives in our different MDAs.”