Officers in the department of
Budget, Planning, Research and Statistics in various local governments in Ogun State have been told to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in their daily activities
The Chairman, Ogun State Local Government Service Commission, Ms. Olubukunola Olivia Onabanjo said this while declaring open a day workgroup meeting organised for staff in the Department of Budget Planning Research and Statistics in the 20 Local Government Areas in the State.
Onabanjo while highlighting the importance of planing research and statistics called on the staff in the department to be exemplary, diligent, and result-driven in their work.
She said rather than pursuing short-term personal gains, the officers should focus on the collective good and the long-term benefits that come with maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. In her words, she said “be exemplary, diligent and result-driven”.
She went further, saying “your role is central to the successful functioning of any organization, as your department serves as the information hub, where essential data is collated, processed, and used to shape policies and programs”.
She also opined that, “he who fails to plan, plans to fail.”
In this regard, according to the Chairman “strategic work plans that emerge from your department are fundamental to achieving
the organization’s goals and objectives”.
“A clear direction for any organization must be established through sound budgeting and consistent
performance monitoring to ensure alignment with established standards. As members of the Budget, Planning, Research, and Statistics Department, you are entrusted with the duty of
producing, storing, and sharing critical information. It is essential that you handle this responsibility with the highest level of confidentiality and integrity, ensuring that sensitive information is not accessed by unauthorized individuals within or outside the organization”.
“The importance of your department goes far beyond preparing annual budgets. A budget should be people-focused, designed to improve the livelihoods and well-being of the citizens we serve”.
“Therefore, it is vital to ensure that budgets are carefully monitored during implementation”. She therefore advised that, “political office holders should be encouraged to report transparently on the stewardship of public funds,
fostering openness and accountability in governance.
Good governance is the expectation of our citizens, and the information provided by your department plays a pivotal role in identifying the most pressing needs, such as the provision of good roads, schools, healthcare facilities, and sanitation at the grassroots.
Furthermore, the data you handle is crucial for effective resource allocation and informed decision-making on socio-economic issues”.
She urged them to adopt a culture of transparency in their duties.
“Unfortunately, we have encountered cases where staff have tampered with personal files or manipulated records, either independently or by engaging registry staff. Such actions, including unauthorized changes in the Integrated
Personnel and Payroll Management System (IPPMS), undermine the integrity of our Service”.
Her words, “falsifying or suppressing records is a serious offence that attracts severe penalties. I implore you to remain vigilant and avoid any action that could compromise your duties or the public trust”.
In her contribution, the Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Local Government Service Commission, Engr. Olanike Olawunmi Ogunbona, (FNSE). stressed the importance of the workshop, saying that it is based on the “Local Government Autonomy” as the Department of Budget, planning, Research and Statistics serves as the “bank” where essential data is collated, processed and used to shape policies and programmes.
In her response , on behalf of the participants, Mrs. Elizabeth Adesanya thanked the Commission for counting them worthy for the workgroup and update meeting. She promised on behalf of her colleagues to hold the tenets of the Service in a very high esteem and be good “Ambassadors” of the Ogun State Local Government Service.
