By Kemi Olatunde
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As a way of motivating civil servants in Ondo State, 30 brand new Sport Utility Vehicles were yesterday presented to all the Permanent Secretaries in the state public service.
This was just as 12 public servants drawn from various Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) and three corporate organisations were given certificates of recognition and awards of recognition.
The organisations are: Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (OSPHCDA), Imade College, Owo and Saint Michael Catholic High School, Akure.
The gifts were presented at the 2023 public service lecture held at the International Culture and Event Centre (the Dome) in Akure.
The vehicles, according to the State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu will enhance the performances of the officers.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, the State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu said the government will continue to prioritize welfare of workers.
He assured workers that their outstanding salary of January, 2017 will be cleared soon.
Akeredolu described the lecture topic; “Leveraging on Bureaucratic Potential for the Promotion of Investments in Ondo State”, as indeed very appropriate, stating that State Investment Summit themed, Develop ONDO in April is considered imperative for the Bureaucracy to be reminded of its roles and rules in order to grow the economy.
He thanked public servants in the State for their support and cooperation for his administration, stating that without their cooperation, his government would not have recorded the modest feats achieved in all its policy targets.
He added that their welfare will continue to be given priority notwithstanding the State’s lean financial resources.
While commending the impact of public servants on the economic growth at both national and subnational levels, he described the public service as an ally and stakeholder in governance.
While reiterating government’s commitment towards giving priority to the welfare of workers, he explained that amid the hardship occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal, the State Government opted for equitable distribution of palliatives to people from all social strata.
He explained that government launched the Orange Health Care Insurance Scheme (ORANGHIS) to create a sustainable funding mechanism that lowers financial barrier to healthcare of public servants in order to ensure qualitative, improved and accessible healthcare system for public servants.
He charged them to uphold the integrity of the State and foster accountability and transparency in official transactions, even at all levels of government adding that they must strive to expand the State’s revenue base and prudently manage the finances of the State, for development purposes.
In his welcome address, Head of Service, Pastor Kayode Ogundele expressed appreciation to the Governor for his approval and support to enable the State workers observe the annual celebration, describing him as a worker-friendly leader.
He explained that the present administration has placed the welfare of workers in the front burner, noting that workers have continued to enjoy regular promotion as and when due with financial benefits.
He added that “our home grown reform initiative, ODSIP, approved by Mr. Governor and driven by the Office of the Head of Service, is making remarkable progress in the entrenchment of value and virtue of service. Service delivery is being boosted through digitization of personnel-related records.”
He assured the governor that the public Service will not rest on its oars in achieving quality service delivery at all time.
In his lecture, the Guest Speaker, Prof. Tunji Olaopa noted that Ondo State is uncontroversially blessed in terms of human and mineral resources.
He called on government to focus on enhancing the public service capacity for policy intelligence on investment as well as stakeholders’ engagement skills.
