FEC Reviews Submissions on Service Delivery
From Josephine Lohor in Abuja
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday, in its desire to ensure that Nigerians get the services that they require, began the review of submissions made by about eight ministries and agencies on service delivery.
However the Federal Government's Service Compact with all Nigerians (SERVICOM) will come into force today.
Coordinator of SERVICOM, Mr. Ad 'Obe Obe, who disclosed this, stated that "as from the first of July Nigerians will be able to assert their right to be served right. This day will mark the beginning of a social revolution."
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Chief Chukwuemeka Chikelu, while briefing State House correspondents on the highlights of the weekly FEC meeting which was presided over by Vice President Atiku Abubakar, said that President Olusegun Obasanjo has put a lot of effort into the service delivery compact so that Nigerians get proper services.
Chikelu said that "what we did today in council was to begin the process of reviewing the submissions of each ministry relating to how it is going to affect service delivery. And that process will go on. We started today with submissions from about eight ministries and we have also agreed that a standard format be adopted."
The minister who said the issue of service delivery was the only item on the agenda of the FEC meeting, stated, however, that "the budgeting process can be seen in a way as part of service, but the whole concept of service delivery is recognition that we have substantial failures in the services that the government provides to the people over the years.
"What we are saying is that we must begin to take the Nigerian people as the customers that pay our wages, the cutomers that are responsible for our being there. And so, we should look at the entire code, practice and procedure that government agencies engage with people and let the standard be as good, if not better than that of the private sector. At the heart of that is putting the citizens first."
Chikelu also noted that "one important aspect of service delivery is accountability and transparency. What that means is that each ministry will have a document that is published, that is accessible through various platforms. The charter would also show the points and mechanism for complaints. The citizens must also meet this obligations to the state."
Chikelu who dismissed speculations that the process is meant to witch hunt people, said that "we are trying to create a culture and a culture takes a long time to establish. We want to create a culture, first of expectation. The Nigerian people are going to have the expectation bill and on the other hand, we are trying to create the capacity to deliver on a mandate. So, it is a two-way thing and the sanctions will come through the judgement of the public. And it is an indictment of the staff and of the management. And that will eventually reflect on their tenure. That is the greatest sanction."
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