*Photo: Dr Deborah O.N. Odoh*
The Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies Office (SPSO), Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation ( OHoCSF), Dr Deborah O.N. Odoh has called for the upholding of the principles of transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the Federal Civil Service.
She gave the charge on Wednesday in Abuja in the Opening Address of a one-day sensitization workshop on The Revised 2021 Public Service Rules attended by Directors, Human Resource Management from Core Ministries and other officers from the HRM Department.
While conveying the warm regards of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, to all the participants, Dr Odoh said “As you are aware, the revised Public Service Rules which was unveiled on 27th July 2023, serves as the backbone of our administrative framework, guiding the conduct and responsibilities of those entrusted with serving the public.”
The Permanent Secretary added that “These rules are not merely a set of regulations, but a commitment to uphold the principles of transparency, accountability, and efficiency in all our endeavours.”
She recalled that “The idea to hold a service-wide workshop on the revised Public Service Rules was conceived immediately after the approval of the 2021 P.S.R by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on the 27th of September 2021. The planning of the workshop had gone on under the supervision of my predecessors but has now come to fruition today.”
Dr Odoh said “This is the first in a series of sensitization workshops that is being planned as the next phase of the sensitization will include non-core MDAs.”
She said “At their core, the Public Service Rules embody the notion of public trust. As stewards of taxpayer resources and representatives of the people, public servants have a solemn duty to act in the best interests of the communities they serve. These rules provide the framework through which this duty is fulfilled, ensuring that decisions are made with integrity and fairness.”
She stressed that “Moreover, Public Service Rules foster a culture of professionalism and excellence within our institutions. By setting standards for recruitment, promotion, and conduct, they ensure that those who enter public service are qualified, competent, and dedicated to the public good. Through continuous training and development, we strive to equip our workforce with the skills and knowledge needed to meet the evolving needs of our society.”
She noted that “This programme is in line with the central goal of the present Administration and the leadership of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, CFR to bring about effective administration and service delivery in the public service as a means to achieve Government’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, sustainable governance, adherence to law and order and capacity building in the Public Service. “
She said “Having these goals at the back of our minds, our responsibility now rests on positioning ourselves at a level in which we can offer this administration total support and loyalty while deploying our professionalism and the knowledge gained in this training workshop for the interest and progress of the entire nation.
” These can only be achieved through having a good understanding, correct interpretation, fair, and just application of the Public Service Rules and other extant rules and regulations guiding the Service.
The Permanent Secretary charged all the Directors of Human Resources to organize the mandatory training and retraining programmes on the revised PSR for officers in their respective Ministries to enable them keep abreast with the updated rules and policies in the service.
“This will make them well-informed civil servants and enhance their capability to carry out their duties for the progress of the service and the nation,” she said.