‘Lagosians can hold govt to its promises’

Lagos State Government says it has introduced a reform that gives residents of the state an insight into government’s programmes such that they can hold it accountable as regards its programmes within a specific period. The government added that it was against this backdrop that it was making the residents to be aware of its programmes. Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office, Mr. Lekan Akodu, said this on Thursday during a press conference on 2013 Public Service Week in Alausa, Ikeja. Akodu said since all government officials had clearly defined job roles against which their performances would be assessed, they had therefore keyed into the perception that governance must be open, timely, effective and efficient. He said, “The government is also making the public aware of its programmes through publications, ministerial press briefings, every 100 days scorecard by Governor Babatunde Fashola and of course through the Public Service Week. “All these are designed to let the public measure government performance against its promises and hold government to its declaration, where necessary.” Akodu said the Public Service Week was to appreciate the productive efforts of public servants towards service delivery. He added that the theme, ‘The Nigerian Public Service in the Age of Open Government: Giving Voice to the Citizen’, was meant to place the citizens at the centre of public servants consideration for service delivery. He said the event, which is expected to last seven days from June 17, would feature health day, award, lecture, prayer and fitness walk.