Lagos Head Of Service Commends OTCI For Improved Service Delivery

The Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, has acknowledged commitment of the Office of Transformation, Creativity & Innovation (OTCI) towards improving service delivery across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the State Government, saying that the Office has justified the objectives for its establishment.

Muri-Okunola also expressed the government’s intention to continuously support OTCI’s vision due to the rapid transformation being witnessed across the State’s Public Service as well as positive feedbacks on service delivery received from members of the public.

The Head of Service spoke through the Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office, Mr. Samson Ajibade, at the Grand Finale of the Y2021 Service Charter Week celebration held at Alausa, Ikeja, where some top government officials and establishments were recognised for their exemplary performance in discharging their duties as government representatives.

Speaking on the theme of the event: “A Tool for Achieving the Social Contacts Embedded in the T.H.E.M.E.S. Policy Agenda”, the Head of Service stated that this year’s event underscores the importance of effective and efficient service delivery for both government and the governed.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture, Princess Adenike Adedoyin-Ajayi, challenged the Chartered MDAs not to relent in their customer relations but, instead, seek better ways to render more quality services to Lagosians by adding value to the Public Service and the State as a whole.

Princess Adedoyin-Ajayi, in a paper presented at the event, highlighted the roles of both chartered MDAs as well as the expectations that must be met by the service seekers from the government, stressing that the essence of the service charter document is to provide a balance for service providers and those seeking services.

On his part, the Director-General OTCI, Mr. Toba Otusanya, said that the annual service charter week provides an avenue for the various chartered MDAs to restate their commitment to effective service delivery, reappraise their performance in the previous year and also plan to improve on sustaining public confidence in good governance.

His words: “During the Service Charter week event, Chartered MDAs showcase their various charges, pledges and standards as contained in their charter documents at both their exhibition stand and ‘open day’ forum, where public servants had the opportunity to interface one-on-one”.

According to him, the annual Service Charter week has over the years, proven to be an effective platform for showcasing the importance of effective and efficient service delivery by institutionalising excellence within the State Public Service.

Otusanya added that the grand finale of the event, which is usually the presentation of awards of recognition to deserving personalities and MDAs, was aimed at encouraging healthy rivalry within the public service with the intention of meeting the yearnings and expectations of Lagosians.

He explained that the Office recognised the Chairman of Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Hazmat Ayodele Subair, and the State’s Accountant-General/Permanent Secretary, State Treasury Office (STO), Dr. Abiodun Muritala, for their dedication and commitment to the implementation of the Service Charter in LIRS and STO respectively.

There was also the presentation of a special award to Princess Adenike Adedoyin-Ajayi, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture, for her unflinching dedication and commitment to the implementation of the Service Charter initiative within the Lagos State Public Service and for being part of the pioneer team that conceived the idea of Service Charter during her tenure as a Director in the Office of Transformation, Creativity and Innovation.

The Service Delivery Unit of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service was recognised as the most committed and dedicated service delivery unit amongst the Second Phase Service Chartered MDAs, just as Ikorodu General Hospital was presented with an award as the most committed and dedicated Health facility to the Service Charter Initiative.