Ekiti News reports that Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has urged local government leaders to prioritize professionalism, discipline, integrity, compassion, and teamwork to enhance local government administration.
Speaking at the opening of a three-day retreat for heads of local government and local council development areas at the NULGE secretariat in Ado-Ekiti on Friday, Governor Oyebanji emphasized that maintaining high professional standards is essential for effective service delivery and grassroots development.
The Governor while highlighting the importance of strong leadership and ethical standards in public service, stressed that earning the trust of the people requires dealing with them with sincerity, integrity, efficiency, and professionalism.
Governor Oyebanji noted that such an approach is vital for encouraging citizens to fulfill their civic responsibilities and support the government.
The Governor urged them to uphold the highest ethical standards of honesty and transparency in all their dealings, adding that public confidence in local governments hinges on the perceived honesty and reliability of its leaders. This, he said, is the only way to correct the wrong notion that local government staff are generally under-engaged.
While commending the leadership of the local government service commission for working hard to reposition the local government to be able to respond appropriately to the demands vision, programs, and project of his administration, the Governor assured them that his administration would continue to prioritize the welfare of workers in the state.
The Governor said, “I must be frank with you that many people hold the view rightly or wrongly that the local government staffs are generally under-engaged, form of absenteeism, and are not well motivated for service delivery. We may want to argue this, but we must take it as a fair criticism and do something about it.
“The first step to take is to lead by example. I expect the leadership to be in charge by placing premiums on professionalism, discipline, integrity, compassion, and teamwork at the workplace.
“As government, we will continue to prioritize the welfare of our workers at all times. Since we came on board, we have offset some legacy salary arrears, paid salary as and when due, we have approved the promotion of 2022/2023 for those who are eligible.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Chief Samuel Abejide, who appreciated the Governor for his efforts at ensuring that the local government staffs are at per with their state counterparts, itemized the Governor’s achievement in local government to include, approval of reinstatement of local government training fund, purchase of utility vehicle for top government officials, renovation of local government service commission’s secretariat, approval of 2022 and 2023 promotion, among others.
He said the training was conceived to further improve members of staff behaviour, staff behavioural changes positively bearing in mind the dynamics of human behaviour, environmental challenges and emerging trends and how they can impact on the delivery of quality services.
In his goodwill message, the NULGE President, Mr Oluseyi Olatunde, commended the governor for appointing a resourceful and thorough bred board members and permanent secretary to oversee the affairs of the local government service commission.
Emphasizing various achievements of the governor in less than two years in office, Mr Oluwaseyi said local government staff had never had it so well.
He therefore urged the staff to reciprocate the Governor’s gesture by being diligent, dutiful, and committed to work.