… Says, effective governance depends on strong public institutions
BY VIOLET OSATOHANMWEN OBAMWONYI
The Edo State Government has disclosed plans to conduct a comprehensive performance appraisal of all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) for the first quarter of 2025.
The exercise, aimed at identifying strengths, weaknesses and opportunities within the public service, is being coordinated by the Directorate of Corporate Change, Communication and Performance Management under the Office of the Head of Service.
The Head of Service, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa, who presided over a pre-appraisal meeting, explained that the quarterly evaluation is critical to ensuring that all MDAs align their operations with the strategic priorities of present state government
He warned that poor performance, lack of initiative and failure to meet targets would no longer be tolerated, and called on all heads of MDAs to take the process seriously and submit their performance reports without delay.
Dr. Okungbowa commended the Permanent Secretary of the Directorate, Dr. (Mrs.) Joy Iyen Akhigbe, for producing detailed and accessible reports on the performance of various agencies.
He urged her to maintain dialogue with political heads of MDAs and ensure full compliance with the reporting requirements.
The reports, he said, are essential for understanding whether the government is making real progress or simply going through the motions.
Dr. Akhigbe, in her remarks, outlined the metrics used in the evaluation, which include revenue generation, budget utilisation, human resources management, project execution and stakeholder engagement.
She stressed the need for timely feedback, data-based planning and corrective action where performance gaps are identified.
According to her, the appraisal is not merely bureaucratic, but serves as a mirror through which the government assesses its own effectiveness and adjusts accordingly.
The session was attended by key government officials, including Mrs. B. J. Igbinobaro, the Permanent Secretary, Directorate of Human Resources Management; Mr. Bernard Aigbe, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance; Mr. Efe Iserhienrhien, the Permanent Secretary, Budget and Economic Planning and Mrs. S. A. Abu, Secretary to the Edo State Board of Internal Revenue.
They pledged to cooperate fully with the process and contribute to the broader goal of institutional reform and improved governance outcomes.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Head of Service has emphasised the indispensable role of public institutions in delivering effective governance, stating that the quality of service rendered by the civil and public service directly impacts the success of any administration.
Speaking during a strategic breakfast meeting with top management staff, permanent secretaries and heads of parastatals at the Government House in Benin City, Dr. Okungbowa challenged public servants to align their efforts with the development agenda of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration.
He noted that while routine administrative functions are important, the public service must evolve from merely executing transactions to adopting a strategic, results-oriented mindset.
He called for a shift in focus from processes to outcomes, urging government workers to embrace self-evaluation, accountability, and innovation.
According to him, the ability of Edo’s civil service to support policy implementation and programme delivery will determine how far the state progresses on its path of inclusive growth.
Dr. Okungbowa also underlined the importance of intellectual development and continuous training in ensuring public sector excellence.
He urged staff across all ministries and departments to take full ownership of the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy, describing it as a flagship institution for capacity building in the state.
He warned that no meaningful transformation can take place if the intellectual output of the service remains weak, stressing that “garbage in, garbage out” applies as much to public administration as it does to any other professional field.
In a major policy announcement, the Head of Service revealed that the Civil Service of the Federation would soon begin nationwide performance rankings of state civil services.
The assessment would focus on key metrics such as leadership quality, innovation, communication strategies, risk management, involvement in public policy and the development of human capital.
He said that Edo State aims to perform strongly in this assessment and that preparations are underway to ensure that all public officers take the challenge seriously.
Dr. Okungbowa therefore urged public servants to embrace a culture of dialogue, responsibility and innovation, reiterating that the legitimacy of government efforts ultimately rests on the integrity and responsiveness of its institutions
