The Lagos State Local Government Service Commission, LGSC, has concluded a 3-day summit aimed at enhancing sustainable service delivery in local government and local council development areas.
The event, held at Jubilee Chalet in Epe, brought together major stakeholders in local government administration to discuss how to rebrand the State’s local government system.
Speaking at the Summit, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, emphasized that the summit aligns with the THEMES Plus Agenda, aiming to enhance service delivery and good governance at the grassroots level, just as he highlighted the present administration’s dedication to improving the quality of life for all residents through efficient and sustainable practices.
Addressing the summit’s participants, the Deputy Governor who was represented by the Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Dr. Hakeem Shittu, underlined the necessity of sustainable service delivery, urging collective efforts to innovate and implement practices that balance economic growth, environmental stewardship, and social equity.
He called on those at the grassroots level to partner in the mission of creating a better and greater Lagos State for present and future generations.
“I am confident that through our collective efforts, we will initiate strategies that will make our service delivery more efficient, inclusive, and responsive to the diverse needs of our people,” he stated.
He also lauded the participants’ expertise and dedication, expressing optimism that the insights and strategies developed during the summit would pave the way for a prosperous future for Lagos State residents.
During his Goodwill Message, the Chairman, Lagos State House Committee on Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs & Rural Development, Hon. Sanni Okanlawon, urged participants to actively engage in all activities and implement the insights gained to improve service delivery.
He emphasized the importance of practical application of the summit’s deliberations, just as he sought for collaboration from all the stakeholders at the Summit.
Also speaking, the Head of Service of Lagos State, Mr. Olabode Shuaheeb Agoro, underscored the crucial role of local governments as the bedrock of democracy, emphasizing the importance of equipping them to meet citizens’ needs effectively.
“This summit is very timely,” Mr. Agoro noted, “as it coincides with the winding up of the current local government elected officers’ tenure and the preparation for fresh elections to usher in new administrations at the grassroots level.”
Represented at the event by Mrs. Bopo Oyekan-Ismailia, the Head of Service called on public servants to remain focused, and committed in their roles to ensure that all Lagos residents continue to enjoy the benefits of good governance.
Earlier, the Chairman of LGSC, Hon. Kamal Ayinde Bayewu, described the Summit as a means to review administrative guidelines and enhance operational efficiency within the local government system.
He stressed the need for proper adherence to processes to bridge the gap between political officials and civil servants.
On her part, the Permanent Secretary of the LGSC, Mrs. Abosede George, highlighted the Summit’s goal of bringing together stakeholders to restructure and rebrand the local government system, ensuring officers align with their state counterparts.
The Summit featured various presentations on topics such as procurement, budgeting, sustainability, the Lagos State Development Plan, regulatory frameworks, statutory committees, and ethical considerations in decision-making. Panel discussions addressed the future of the local government system and the moral and work ethics of its officers.
During the summit, participants identified several critical issues and proposed actionable recommendations as there was a consensus on the need to review and update administrative guidelines to include newly created departments and units.
The participants also underscored the importance of maintaining the existing procurement law until amendments are made and the introduction of induction/orientation programs for newly employed staff.
They advocated for holding budget assemblies in different communities within local governments to reduce the incidence of abandoned projects. Additionally, it was agreed that the LGSC Summit should be an annual event held at the beginning of new local government administrations to serve as an onboarding programme.
Other notable attendees at the summit included some members of the State House of Assembly, body of Permanent Secretaries, council chairmen, heads of government agencies, and Parastatals, among others.