
Ogun State Local Government Service Commission Organizes Workgroup Meeting on Strategic Development and Due Process
By Oniyide Adegboyega
The Ogun State Local Government Service Commission, LGSC, has organised a day update and workgroup meeting for senior staff in Ogun State Local Government Service.
The programme, which was on strategic development and due process in project procurement for top officials in the local government service was held at Crescent Muslim Professionals’ Hall, Leme, Abeokuta.
The Chairman of the Commission, Ms. Olivia Olubukunola Onabanjo maintained that, the program was meant for top echelon of the local government service and organized to address issues on finance and other miscellaneous dealings which are of serious concern that affect all the cadres.
Ms. Onabanjo therefore called for dedication from workers during the meeting, adding that the workgroup will see to the financial discipline of the workers.
Represented by the Full Time Commissioner lll, LGSC, Dr. Abolaji Olusesan Fagbayi, Onabanjo said, in recent times, the commission has been inundated with reports of non Compliance with financial regulations by the principal officers in the Local Governments.
She stressed that some of the complaints border on integrity, professionalism and values of the concerned officers, which if not quickly nipped in the bud will have dire consequences on not only the officials, but the Local Government Service as a whole.
She stated that, revelations at the recently concluded examination of the accountants of all Local Governments by the Auditor-General for Local Governments and the subsequent discovery of serious financial infractions and non-compliance with basic financial regulations by our officers when they appeared before the Public Accounts and Anti-Corruption Committee of the Ogun State, House of Assembly makes it imperative for us to initiate this meeting.
“Furthermore, following the approval of His Excellency, the Governor of Ogun State that the implementation of the Ogun State Public Procurement (Amendment) Law 2020 should Commenced in all MDAs in the State, the Commission considered it imperative to update the knowledge of its principal officers on the provision of the law as it affects the performance of their duties.
“That is why selected topics that will change the narrative of the Service for the better were carefully packaged for deliberations.
“It is an onerous task for us to ensure probity and accountability in the discharge of our duties as well as comply with the guiding principle of the service” Ms Onabanjo explained.
She therefore reiterated that, the Commission shall no longer condone breach of rules and regulations on the part of any staff, no matter highly placed.
In his own remark, the Permanent Secretary, LGSC, Dr. Adeolu Olufowobi stressed the importance of the Workgroup meeting, as it will help top officials in the Local Government Service to improve on their performances.
Olufowobi disclosed, that the Commission has instituted a reward mechanism to boost staff morale on a quarterly basis for outstanding staff of the Commission both in the senior and junior cadres.
He then informed the participants that two (2) outstanding officers were awarded laurel, cash gifts and their pictures were placed on the Commission’s Notice Board, for three months.
Olufowobi also enjoined members of staff, across the twenty (20) Local Governments in the state, to replicate this gesture.
While appreciating the Commission on behalf of the participants, Mr Wole Adeosun, the Head of Local Government Administration, (HoLGA), Abeokuta South Local Government, applauded the Commission for organizing this kind of workshop for the top officials in the Ogun State Local Governments at this auspicious time while promising to improve in the discharge of their duties.
Like an “Oliver Twist”, he appealed for more of the gesture.
The participants of the workgroup included; Heads of Local Administration (HOLGA), Directors of General Services Administration, Directors Finance and Supplies, Internal Auditors, Heads of Works and Housing Departments across the twenty (20) Local Governments in Ogun State .