Despite COVID-19, Nigerian public service living up to expectation – SGF Mustapha
...their contribution to development enormous - BPSR DG
By Aliyu Umar Aliyu
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha has said that in spite of the ravaging effect of COVID-19 pandemic, the Nigerian public service is living up to its expectations.
He was speaking in Abuja on Wednesday at a a discourse organised by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) to commemorate the 2021 United Nation public service day.
Mustapha noted that, throughout the world, the contributions of Public Service in promoting sustainable and equitable economic growth are receiving increasing attention because efficient and effective management of the service that are critical to sustainable socio-economic development of nations.
According to him, “Over the years, the Nigerian Public Service has been an integral and key part of Government, living up to expectation as it continues to provide the administrative service of design, formulation and putting government policies into action. It is the Public Service that ensures policy continuity and institutional coherence, thereby facilitating rapid attainment of national goals and sustainable development.
“I want to use this medium to specially recognize our courageous and hardworking essential public servants for their services amidst the current COVID-19 pandemic. They include people working in the Healthcare sectors, Delivery sectors, Sanitation sectors, Social welfare, Education, Transport, Law Enforcement, and all the public servants.
“They are the ones who continue to work amid the pandemic whereas many others take shelter at their various comfort zones.
“You will all agree with me that the COVID 19 Pandemic has challenged everyone, including governance and its operation.
“Nevertheless, the Federal Government is committed to building a Public Service that is capable, efficient, open, inclusive, and accountable institutions, which are critical for sustainable growth and inclusive national development after COVID-19.The Federal Government’s E–government Master plan currently being implemented is innovation and technology pooled to deliver services.
“The E–government Master plan is intended to equip public servants with skills necessary to be effective, responsive and relevant in the digital age.
“Therefore, I wish to use this medium to encourage all Civil and Public Servants to carry out their roles with dedication and a commitment to the Civil Service and its core values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality,” said the SGF.
Earlier speaking, the Director General of BPSR, Dr. Dasuki Arabi said the day was set aside across the globe in line with the UN resolutions to recognise the value and virtue of the public service to humanity and to highlight their contribution to development process.
He said the service is collaborating with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to discuss issues bothering public service in the country.
He said, “Over the past ten years, Africa’s performance in Basic Health Services, for example, which assesses the extent to which the public are satisfied with how governments are handling the improvement of basic health services, has deteriorated. Africa’s economic growth has failed to generate sufficient jobs to match the increasing demand.
“It is expected that this forum today would provide the needed platform to convey Government Policies that require the buy-in of critical stakeholders as we commemorate the 2021 UN Public Service Day.
“I am deeply grateful to Mr. President, for the opportunity to serve as the Institutional platform for sustainable reform implementation and coordination, also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation who serves as Chairman of the Steering Committee on Reforms together with the Co-Chair, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation for their continued support towards the activities of the Bureau,” the DG added.
The annual discourse, which took place at Nigerian Army resources centre, Abuja, had in attendance different stakeholders in public service across the country.
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