By John Odunjo
Commissioners, special advisers, permanent secretaries, executive secretaries and general managers in Ekiti State on Monday returned to their offices after a three-day retreat expectedly recharged.
For the commissioners, special advisers and permanent secretaries inaugurated last week, it is hoped they are resuming for a great start while others who had been in office had been energised for better service delivery.
The state governor, Biodun Oyebanji had organised the retreat on effective implementation of government policies and programmes, with the theme, “Shared prosperity: From Promise to Reality”, for the State Executive Council and accounting officers of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Oyebanji had said, the retreat was aimed at making participants comprising all commissioners, special advisers and accounting officers of MDAs “learn, re-learn and unlearn with a view to having a clear understanding of the developmental objectives of the administration”.
The participants, before leaving
Adetiloye Hall, Trade Fair Complex, Ado Ekiti, venue of the retreat, affirmed that it had spurred them for efficient service delivery and effective implementation of the state’s policies and programmes.
Participants at the retreat, which had a policy analyst and development expert, Dr Otive Igbuzor, as lead facilitator, agreed and resolved to make this Shared Prosperity Covenant as follows:
i. That the Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji administration will be anchored on shared vision, collaboration, compassion, sacrificial mindset, financial prudence and a culture of service excellence;
ii. That the continued stay in office of Political Office Holders would be determined by their performance as they will be required to execute Performance Bond;
iii. That all participants would promote a culture of excellence and demonstrate exemplary personal values and work etiquette;
iv. That all participants should see themselves as agents of change to guide the actions of their followers;
v. That each MDA would develop a work plan in line with the State Development Plan and the Six Pillars of the Administration to bring about growth, development and Shared Prosperity to Ekiti State;
vi. That periodic assessment of the work plans of MDAs will be carried out by the Office of Transformation and Service Delivery and other relevant agencies;
vii. To strengthen the security architecture of the State to ensure safety of lives and property in our cities and various farmsteads and unhindered access to justice;
viii. To guarantee food security and support agro-allied industries by encouraging farming and deepening agricultural value chain through a combination of policies, programmes and direct investments;
ix. That participants should have the right mindset by prioritizing the interest of the citizenry and implementing programmes and projects that will add value to the people of the State;
x. That participants should utilize the limited resources at Government’s disposal efficiently to ensure value for money;
xi. To improve the State’s macroeconomic indices such as unemployment, poverty rate, GDP growth, recurrent-capital expenditure ratio and financial inclusion;
xii. To boost Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) by enhancing the use of technology in collection, widening the tax net and strengthening collaboration with revenue-generating MDAs;
xiii. To improve Federal presence in Ekiti State and strengthen collaboration with the Federal Government to generate more employment and boost State revenue;
xiv. That the State will explore and exploit the mineral resources available in the State to the benefit of the Government and people of Ekiti;
xv. That the State will strengthen
waste management with a view to enhancing the overall quality of the environment;
xvi. That the State will take concrete steps to enhance access to financial credit facilities by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs);
xvii. That the State will implement programmes that will lead to entrepreneurial development and empowerment of youths;
xviii. That the State will encourage the patronage of businesses in Ekiti to boost local content and stimulate economic activities;
xix. To improve the educational curriculum through the introduction of Artificial Intelligence and Robotic Technology;
xx. To create an enabling environment for businesses through policies and provision of infrastructure and attract greater private sector investment to the State;
xxi. To continue to build relationship with development partners and leverage resources from multilateral agencies;.
xxii. To strengthen tthe State’s information management and mode of communication to create awareness for the programmes and projects of the Government;
xxiii. To develop policies and programmes on values re-orientation, promote personal values, ethics and self-respect, reclaim our lost civilization and bring about enhancement of equity, justice and acceptable social behaviours. These will include but not limited to the creation of an institution, Ekiti State Orientation Agency;
xxiv. To build industrial parks, develop IT hubs and embark on training for youths on information and communication technology, responsible citizenry and leadership;
xxv. To provide requisite working tools to enhance service delivery;
xxvi. To generate essential socio-economic and statistical indices and utilize them in decisionmaking and implementation of government programmes; and
xxvii. To strengthen the level of governance at the Local Governments to enable them meet the needs and aspirations at the grassroots.
The participants appreciated and eulogized the governor for his unwavering commitment to the
development of the State and pledged their unflinching support towards the realization of his vision for the State.
