FG to end dispute between permanent secretaries, ministers

The federal government is taking measures to bring to an end,
the recurring disputes between permanent secretaries and other
stakeholders in public sector administration.

Winifred Oyo-Ita, head of civil service, said this while
delivering a keynote address at an induction training programme
organised for permanent secretaries in Abuja on Friday.

Oyo-Ita said the induction was part of government’s deliberate
efforts to rebuild mutual trust and confidence among parties
concerned.

This, she said, would enhance service delivery to Nigerians.

“Over time, my office has observed recurring tension between
permanent secretaries and other stakeholders in public sector
administration such as ministers and their aides, members of the
national assembly, heads of extra-ministerial agencies domiciled
under them and organised labour unions,” Oyo-Ita said.

“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 confidence among all parties concerned to
enhance efficient service delivery to Nigerian citizens.”

Oyo-Ita said permanent secretaries’ roles come with a lot of
challenges especially in an era of dwindling financial resources
and escalating competing demands.

She added that the induction and other programmes have been
designed to assist the permanent secretaries build their capacities
to play their roles effectively.

Describing it as the first in the series, Oyo-Ita disclosed that
there are plans for a joint retreat of ministers and permanent
secretaries in the future as soon as the required funds are
available.

Simon Etim, acting chairman of the federal civil service
commission, in his goodwill message, identified disbursement of
funds and procurement matters as major causes of the frictions.

Etim said there was the need for constant consultation and
dialogue between the permanent secretaries and ministers or other
political heads.

The federal government is taking measures to bring to an end,
the recurring disputes between permanent secretaries and other
stakeholders in public sector administration.

Winifred Oyo-Ita, head of civil service, said this while
delivering a keynote address at an induction training programme
organised for permanent secretaries in Abuja on Friday.

Oyo-Ita said the induction was part of government’s deliberate
efforts to rebuild mutual trust and confidence among parties
concerned.

This, she said, would enhance service delivery to Nigerians.

“Over time, my office has observed recurring tension between
permanent secretaries and other stakeholders in public sector
administration such as ministers and their aides, members of the
national assembly, heads of extra-ministerial agencies domiciled
under them and organised labour unions,” Oyo-Ita said.

“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 confidence among all parties concerned to
enhance efficient service delivery to Nigerian citizens.”

Oyo-Ita said permanent secretaries’ roles come with a lot of
challenges especially in an era of dwindling financial resources
and escalating competing demands.

She added that the induction and other programmes have been
designed to assist the permanent secretaries build their capacities
to play their roles effectively.

Describing it as the first in the series, Oyo-Ita disclosed that
there are plans for a joint retreat of ministers and permanent
secretaries in the future as soon as the required funds are
available.

Simon Etim, acting chairman of the federal civil service
commission, in his goodwill message, identified disbursement of
funds and procurement matters as major causes of the frictions.

Etim said there was the need for constant consultation and
dialogue between the permanent secretaries and ministers or other
political heads.