BY FRED EDOREH
Towards ensuring efficiency, high productivity and excellence in the development of Delta State, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has directed members of his Cabinet to sign a performance bond.
The Governor disclosed this at the close of a retreat for top public servants held at the Maryam Babangida Leisure Park in Asaba on Friday, November 17, which also had the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, in solidarity attendance and to also share ideas and perspectives on good governance and development.
According to Governor Oborevwori, the idea of the bond is to focus and motivate the Commissioners on focus and performance on the deliverables that have been established, as well as enable the government keep track to evaluate the management, progress and delivery of projects and programmes aimed at the development and advancement of the state in line with the MORE Agenda of his administration.
“A key component of our policy thrust is the institutionalization of a credible feedback mechanism, which I harped on during the swearing-in of Commissioners in August this year. For us to achieve our stated goals, MDAs must constantly monitor the progress of projects under their jurisdiction and formulate a mechanism for feedback and evaluation.
“As evidenced from the projects that we have so far completed and embarked upon, this administration is process driven, result-oriented and excellence-inclined. Indeed, we are poised to ADVANCE the state into an era that will accelerate the realization of its full potentials through the MORE agenda.
“Towards this end, the Commissioners are expected to sign a Performance Bond at the end of this retreat. This is not meant to scare anybody. It is to serve as a motivation to stay focused on the deliverables that have been established.
“However, the Performance Bond shall be adjusted accordingly where the need arises, especially if there is a shortfall in resources available to any ministry.”
Using the occasion to re-proclaim the cardinal objectives of his administration, the Governor urged the top state functionaries to align their programmes and initiatives with the MORE Agenda, and in creative and prudent manner.
“As I stated in my Inauguration Speech, the MORE agenda is designed to foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth and private sector job creation, strengthen the human capital, build an enabling infrastructure, bolster public financial management and improve governance and accountability systems for improved service delivery.
“It is pertinent that I remind us of my charge in the Inauguration Speech. I quote: “The issues before us are simple – they are about improving the quality of life of our people, about building bridges of social cohesion, about giving our people hope of a better tomorrow, and about accelerated development. In short, it is about good governance. And it demands thought and action from me and all those who have the privilege to serve as elected officials, political appointees or civil servants.”
“I am pleased that through these workshop sessions, the Members of the State Executive Council and Heads of inter-ministerial agencies now have a firm grasp of the MORE agenda. This will ensure that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government align their programmes and activities with this administration’s policy focus.
“Even more significantly, the strategic imperatives of the MORE agenda have now been distilled into deliverables that can be measured, tracked and reported. These key performance indicators will enable us to measure our progress as an administration based on established timelines and benchmarks for success. This will, in turn, enable efficiency of government, enhance performance, hold the MDAs accountable and promote judicious utilization of resources.
“It is my earnest expectation that this forum will provide the pathway for us to deliver on the promises of the MORE agenda through fiscal responsibility, synergy among the MDAs, robust community engagement, effective public communication, creative execution of programmes, and excellent service delivery.”
