LASG ADVISES CIVIL SERVANTS ON PRUDENT MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES
Lagos State Government has advised civil servants in the State to be prudent and strategic in the management of the State’s available resources by eliminating waste, variability and inflexibility capable of leading to loss of resources.
According to the Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pensions, Dr. Akintola Benson Oke, the deployment of a lean operational system was necessary for the public service to maintain the ability for constant improvement in meeting the needs of the populace.
Benson Oke gave the advice today at a training programme organized by the Ministry with the theme “Adopting the Lean Process Improvement Culture in the Civil Service to Further Reduce Waste and Optimise Productivity”, at Golfview Hotel, Ikeja, while emphasising the need to improve productivity.
He explained that the adoption of a lean operational system will help the civil service adopt a performance culture, noting that the changing process will improve the long-term performance of the organization as seen in manufacturing sectors where lean management and production techniques are being adopted.
While enunciating the gains of embracing the lean operational model, the Commissioner explained that where there is a process of performance tracking system that breaks down top-level objectives into clear measurable targets, workers of such organisations will not only understand the direction of the establishment but would accept and meet set targets.
“To succeed, public-sector organisations must find a way to align their growth strategy by providing new and better services for the interest of their workers. It is in our corporate interest to do so. Although lean programmes may cut the number of public-sector jobs over time. These incentives come from the prospect of more meaningful work, potentially with room for greater autonomy or a chance to develop new skills”, he said.
The Commissioner said the choice of the workforce of the State to import the principle of lean operations from the private sector and apply them would be a great achievement at tackling problems while holding poor-performing officers accountable in order to raise efficiency.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Establishment and Pensions, Mrs. Rhoda Ayinke said the training was organised to help reposition civil servants for improved performance, noting that it was important to enlighten civil servants on resources management.
On his part, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe urged civil servants not to allow being driven by their environment rather they should drive their environment with excellent service delivery.
The Vice-Chancellor commended the State government for the quality of the programme, urged the workforce to maximize every training opportunity and also exhibit the manpower development skills acquired when they get back to their offices.