Chukwudike Ndubeze, Awka
A former Minister for Aviation, Osita Chidoka, has tasked Professor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State on completing projects inherited by his administration from the past one.
The former Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, gave the advice at a two-day retreat organized by Anambra State Government for the new appointees of the Governor, as well as other senior officials of Government.
Chidoka who spoke on “Measuring Time and Performance: The FRSC Experience,” explained that there was no wisdom in cancelling or abandoning projects already awarded by previous administrations unless there is a serious issue involved. Instead, he urged the Governor to concentrate on completing and commissioning them.
“Any already awarded contract is an excellent gift to any political office holder. Do not cancel if there is no serious issue, time to procure projects eat deeply into your 48 months. Focus on commissioning projects, not procurement,” he posited.
Chidoka who introduced his “M²I governance philosophy” meaning “Measure, Monitor, Improve,” tasked the appointees to understand the import of time measurement and performance.
He also advised them to understand the civil servants working under them and why they behave the way they do.
“Political appointees have four years civil servants have 35 years, so there is a misalignment of time frames. Manage it.
“Four years equal 48 months, equal 208 weeks, equal 1460 days. When it takes you four months to decide on a course of action, 10% of your time is irretrievably gone forever.
“The new government must be data driven. Governor Soludo’s pedigree makes it easy. Relentless measurement, ruthless monitoring and continuous improvement will deliver value,” Chidoka stated.
He, however, lauded the Governor for thinking it right to organise the seminar for his team, noting that it is the right step to building a winning team that can deliver quality service to the desiring public.
Ikengaonline reports that the Governor had stated that the reason for the retreat was to bring state appointees up to speed with the expectations from them.
Soludo said he aimed at getting them to internalise the core vision of his administration, to be able to function well.
Some of the resource persons who spoke at the Retreat include the former governor of Lagos State and current Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, and Mr. Ben Akabueze, the Director-General, Budget Office.
Participants at the retreat include: Commissioners, Special Advisers, Heads of Agencies/Parastatals, Permanent Secretaries, and key aides to the Governor.
The retreat started on Friday and is expected to end today (Saturday).
