By Kemi Olatunde

The Civil Service Innovation Challenge initiative of the Ondo State has continued to yield results as the Biogas alternative energy solution proposed by one of the winners, Olaseni Olubunmi has attracted partnership from a private firm, Community Energy Social Enterprise Limited.

Speaking at an event in his office, where the One Hundred Thousand Naira cash support was formally presented to Olaseni, the state Head of Service, Pastor Kayode Ogundele expressed happiness that the reform programmes of the state were beginning to yield positive results.

Ogundele posited that the era of dormant civil service where officers would just be pushing files on their tables was far gone giving way to innovative ideas from workers to provide solutions.

He said the expectation of the government from the civil servants is to add value to its policies and programmes to touch the lives of the populace.

In his words, ‘civil servants should not just be arm-chair critics. We should not just be onlookers. We should be solution providers. The essence of bringing us into the chairs and tables we are occupying is because the government felt we should add value.’

‘We are expected in one little way or the other and in our various little corners to contribute our quota such that that holistic goal of the government to touch the lives of the people is archived .’ He further stated.

He appreciated the company, Community Energy Social Enterprise for deeming it fit to support the Biogas project proponent, Olaseni to make his dream come into fusion and called on other officers to emulate him by coming up with useful innovative ideas.

While expressing satisfaction with the emerging results from the reforms programmes in the state, Ogundele thanked Governor Akeredolu for giving necessary support and approval for the Innovation Challenge.

Also speaking, Special Adviser to the Governor on Union Matters and Special Duties, Mr Dare Aragbaye, who noted that one of the banes of development was lack of follow-up on previous ideas in past, appreciated Community Energy Social Enterprise for following up the Biogas initiative and for the cash support.

Describing the initiator of the project, Olaseni as a pride to the Ondo State civil service, Aragbaye, who is a former Head of Service in the state urged him to keep it and as well called on other officers to follow the example.

In his remarks, Chief Executive Officer of the company, Dr Patrick Tolani, said though the support may be small, it is always good to get something started.

According to him, if these projects must go forward, civil servants must be encouraged to think about small implementable ideas that can bring a relationship between the civil service and the private sector.

He, therefore, pledged further assistance to the project when the results of the initial support are seen.

Reacting, the beneficiary, Mr Olaseni gave assurance to give his best to the execution of the project, adding that he could not afford to let the state down.