Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has said that his administration is committed to partnering with Federal Government through the Head of Service of the Federation to improve capacity, provide affordable housing and other welfare needs of civil servants in the state.

Governor Sani Bello stated this when he paid a courtesy call on the Head of Service of the Federation (HOSF), Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, in Abuja.

The Governor disclosed that the purpose of his visit was to explore areas of mutual interest in the effort at repositioning the State Civil Service for improved service delivery.

“We have very hardworking civil servants. But over time there has been gap in capacity building. Hence, the purpose of this visit is to explore areas where Niger State Civil Service will partner with the Federal civil Service on capacity building of workers for effective service delivery to the people,” he said.

Governor Sani Bello said sustaining the change mantra at all tiers of government in the country required a public service that is not incline to material acquisition, but one that is built on uprightness, honesty and high sense of integrity in service delivery to the people.

“As we work to deliver service to the people, we require a civil service that is upright, honest, effective, efficient, innovative, futuristic, dedicated and in-tune with global best practices in public service. This is only achievable through constant training and retraining of civil servants. ”

Governor Sani Bello who expressed his willingness to key-into Public Service Reforms undertaken by Federal Civil Service noted that despite paucity of funds and inheriting a civil service with capacity gap; reforms and welfare of civil servants have been a top priority of his administration.

“We inherited a civil service with capacity gap. This has created some challenges at state and local government levels. We are already partnering with Public Service Institute. We are committed to consolidating on all areas of mutual interests for benefits of state. We are also determined to key into Federal Integrated Housing Scheme (FISH), Efficient, Productive, incorruptible and Citizen-centred (EPIC) civil service. ”

In her remarks, the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita commended Governor Sani Bello’s developmental strides in the state and assured him of her office determination to partner with the state for a more effective service delivery.

She said President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is focused on building a civil service that is more efficient, productive, result-oriented, financially accountable and corruption resistant.

One of the highpoint of the visit was presentation of plaque and decoration of Governor Sani Bello with EPIC Campaign badge. Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Mikhail Al-Amin Bmitosahi, and Commissioner of Finance, Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe, who accompanied the Governor were also decorated with EPIC badge.

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