Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, has said the federal government had begun moves to end the perennial rifts between permanent secretaries and other stakeholders in the public sector administration. Mrs. Oyo-Ita made the disclosure in a keynote address at an induction training programme organised for permanent secretaries in Abuja, on Friday.
She explained that the induction was part of government’s deliberate efforts to rebuild mutual trust and confidence among the parties concerned, adding that it would enhance service delivery to Nigerians. “Over time, my office has observed recurring tension between permanentsecretaries and other stakeholders in public sector administrationsuch as ministers and their aides, members of the National Assembly, heads of extra-ministerial agencies domiciled under them and organised labour unions.
“It has been observed that there are gaps that need to be filled to minimise areas of conflict. “There is also an urgent need to build mutual trust and confidenceamongst all parties concerned to enhance efficient service delivery toNigerian citizens,” she said. The Head of Service added that permanent secretaries’ three generic roles “come with a lot of challenges, especially in the presentera of dwindling financial resources and escalating competing demands.” Oyo-Ita also explained that the induction and other programmes were been designed to assist the permanent secretaries build their capacities to play their roles effectively. She said this was the first in the series, and that there wereplans for a joint retreat of ministers and permanent secretaries in the future as soon as funds were made available.
Acting Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Simon Etim, in his goodwill message, identified disbursement of funds and procurement matters as major causes of the frictions. He stressed the need for constant consultation and dialogue between the permanent secretaries and ministers or other political heads.
