The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Tuesday, said his administration has over the last eight years undertaken deep-rooted reforms to change the attitude and thinking of workers in the State and reposition the State’s civil and public service for improved service delivery.
Obaseki disclosed this at the swearing-in of members of the Edo State Civil Service Commission held at the EXCO Chambers in Government House, Benin City, the Edo State capital.
The governor said the focus and priority on the civil servants was deliberate because they are the most important asset of any government.
Obaseki while inaugurating the five new members of the State’s Civil Service Commission, charged them to improve on the innovations of his administration which has placed the State’s civil and public service above others in the Country.
The members of the Commission include Iguodala Aluyi who serves as Chairman, with Ehi Obaseki, Gilbert Adegboyega, Julie Olatunji, and Margaret Ohiowele as members.
Recall that the Governor had on October 2, 2024, forwarded a letter to the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) requesting the confirmation of the five nominees as Chairman and members of the Edo State Civil Service Commission.
Obaseki, at the inauguration on Tuesday, said, “This afternoon we have undertaken a very significant event and process with the swearing in of the new members of the Civil Service Commission of Edo State.
“This is a watershed moment in our State. It’s a culmination of the very important and deep-rooted reforms we have undertaken in Edo State over the last eight years to reposition the Civil Service.”
According to him, “The most important asset of any government, institution or State is the people who work in that institution. The most valuable instrument for the Edo State Government is the staff that works for the Government. If the people are the priority and assets, it therefore means that most priority and attention must be paid to such people.
“In the last 8 years, we have taken deep-rooted steps to change the positioning, attitude, thinking, and infrastructure of our public service. I started with the public service and I am ending with the public service.”
Obaseki said the Civil Service Commission has been designed to serve as a human resources agency of government and not a political contraption, noting, “That agency is supposed to nurture, hire, and train this critical asset of government. The commission is not an agency to be taken as another political structure.
“The quality and character of the Civil Service Commission will determine whether the service makes progress or not. It must not fail to go through the high human resources principles to hire into the service, pay attention to training and mentoring of staff in government, ensure appropriate rewards and sanctions are melted out properly and fairly, and advice on reward and compensation commensurate with what it has put in to have a great service.”
He further noted, “We have been deliberate in constituting this commission to strike the balance and make that shift between traditional thinking and staffing in government as well as the new thinking to manage the staff in government with sound principles.
“In this appointment, we have a delicate balance of people with local and international experience in human resources management and retired civil servants with proven experience on how the civil service works. With this shift, Edo will never go back with the mistake made in terms of managing the workforce.”
Charging the members of the Commission on effectiveness and efficiency, Obaseki said, “You also have to advise the government and broaden the scope of the commission to deal with all public servants.”
“You are a professional organ in government and must strive to be professional no matter the distraction to get the best into the service and retain them to enable us to strive,” he further charged.
Appreciating the governor for the opportunity to serve, on behalf of other members of the Commission, Iguodala Aluyi noted, “I thank you for the opportunity given to us to serve as we will not take it for granted.
“The confidence repose in this commission is a responsibility to work and collaborate in ensuring that Edo State Government workforce is propelled for maximum benefit.”
