HOS tasks public servants on ERGP implementation

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ABUJA (HoSF’ Report)-The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita has called on the Federal Permanent Secretaries of various Ministries, Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Federal Government Agencies and Director Generals of Parastatals to ensure successful implementation of the Economic Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP) of the Federal Government.

Mrs. Oyo-Ita made the appeal in Abuja yesterday during a dialogue session with the Federal Permanent Secretaries of various Ministries, Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Federal Government Agencies and Director Generals of Parastatals on the Economic Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP) implementation, saying that the plan cannot succeed without the commitment of the Public Servants.

The Head of Service said that, Nigerians are always known for very intelligent and wonderful programs, but what seems to be lacking is effective implementation, which she said, rest on the shoulders of the Public Servants.

“The implementations rest on the shoulders of the Public Service because it is the Public Service that actually does the day to day work activities of the Government, whatever the Public Service is doing, if it is not done effectively and efficiently it cannot move the private sector and cannot move the economy anywhere, so we play a very vital role in the success of the ERGP. I therefore appeal to you the Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executive Officers that this is not the time to pass the buck and make excuses. That is why we are meeting with you today and having this dialogue; we don’t want to hear excuses on how the ERGP will not work. What we need now are intelligent ideas on the way forward and I know we will succeed.” Oyo-Ita said

Also speaking at the occasion, the Honourable Minister of Budget and National Planning Mr. Udo Udoma said that the plan was the Government’s strategy to change Nigeria from a nation of consumers that depended on imports for survival, to a self-reliant country of producers. Adding that the current administration was determined to reverse this trend.

The Minister who explained how the economic recovery plan would be implemented,  stated that the first step was for the Government to focus on its priorities, adding that this would be followed by the establishment of clear accountability and development of detailed action plans.

Other implementation strategies according to him, would involve mobilization and allocation of resources to priority areas, creation of an enabling policy and regulatory environment, and setting up delivery units to monitor and drive progress.

“We are developing a road map for a step-by-step delivery of each of the strategies. Each strategy will be further broken down into component activities, sub-activities and actions. Each action will then be supported by clearly assigned responsibilities, which will be sequenced against clear milestones and timelines for ease of monitoring. Accountability for the delivery of the ERGP lies with the lead MDAs for each strategy.” He said

The ERGP, which was recently launched by President Muhammadu Buhari, has three broad objectives with five key execution priorities.

The objectives are restoring the country to a positive and sustained growth path, investing in the Nigerian people to improve their living standards, and building an economy that is globally competitive.