BAYELSA GOV TASKS PERMANENT SECRETARIES ON BETTER SERVICE DELIVERY

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has emphasised the importance of a strong and professional civil service to effective governance, urging permanent secretaries to play their role as a bridge between political leaders and the bureaucracy.

Diri, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Peter Akpe, spoke on Monday while declaring open a three-day executive training programme for permanent secretaries in Yenagoa, the state capital.

The training was organised by the Bayelsa State Government in collaboration with the Nigeria Institute of Management (Chartered) under the theme, “Strategic Leadership and Public-Sector Governance for Effective Service Delivery.”

The governor said his administration placed great importance on the civil service and bureaucracy, noting that an effective bureaucracy should promote order, efficiency, fairness, accountability, proper record-keeping and continuity in government.

Diri urged permanent secretaries to provide professional advice to political leaders while maintaining close working relationships with directors and other professionals in their ministries.

He also stressed the need for continuous learning among senior civil servants, warning that relying on outdated knowledge could make public officials disconnected from current realities.

Making reference to the managerial principles of German political economist Max Weber, the governor said a strong bureaucracy was essential for running an effective government.

“Until you have a strong bureaucracy, you can’t run a good government. We should ensure that we are intentional and conscious of that particular role. You are a bridge,” Diri said.

He noted that some permanent secretaries had spent decades in public service and could no longer rely solely on knowledge acquired when they joined the service.

According to him, continuous training and learning were necessary for public servants to remain effective and relevant in their positions.

Diri also advised permanent secretaries against making decisions without involving directors and other officers within their ministries.

“You don’t assume you know it all. You must carry your directors and other officers along,” he said.

In his welcome address, the state Head of Service, Dr Ebiye Sawyer, said the training was taking place at a time when citizens expected government institutions to become more responsive, transparent and efficient.

Sawyer described permanent secretaries as occupying a strategic position in government, with responsibilities that include implementing policies, strengthening institutional systems and promoting professionalism within the public service.

He urged the participants to embrace digital transformation and improve administrative processes, data management and access to government services.

The Head of Service said strategic leadership required more than managing routine administrative duties, adding that it involved vision, sound judgement, innovation, effective communication, accountability and the ability to motivate officers towards achieving institutional goals.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Civil Service Commission, Perekiye Buruboyefe, encouraged the participants to remain open to the knowledge and ideas that would be shared during the training.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Institute of Management (Chartered), Dr Sani Abubakar, expressed the institute’s commitment to ensuring that the programme achieved its objectives.

Abubakar assured the Bayelsa State Government and the participants of the institute’s continued support throughout the training.

Other dignitaries at the event included the State Director of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Jonathan Asigo; Chairman of the Permanent Secretaries Forum, Dr Agadah Zuoboemi; and Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai.