By Rosemary Okoduwa
The Edo State Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa, Esq., has reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare, strengthening career progression and accelerating digital transformation across the Edo State Civil Service.
Okungbowa stated this during an official working visit to the Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, where he addressed issues affecting workers and highlighted ongoing reforms aimed at improving efficiency and service delivery in the state public service.
The Head of Service announced the rollout of E-Cloud, an upgraded e-governance platform designed to enhance efficiency and address challenges associated with access to government digital services, while promoting a more seamless and technology-driven public service.
He also disclosed that promotion backlogs had been cleared, with civil servants now expected to receive promotions twice yearly, in January and July, alongside the corresponding financial benefits, in line with the government’s efforts to strengthen career progression.
On workers’ welfare, Okungbowa said the government remained committed to timely payment of salaries, medical emergency support and other initiatives aimed at improving the wellbeing and working conditions of civil servants.
He further announced plans to deploy 50 new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to provide subsidised transportation for civil servants. He added that temporary biometric identification cards would be issued to new employees and staff without official identity cards to enable them access the transport scheme.
Okungbowa also highlighted other initiatives, including the Edo State Public Service Retooling and Enhancement Programme (EdoPREP), the Public Service Knowledge Sharing Series, staff recognition programmes and an Innovation Award scheme designed to promote excellence, creativity and continuous improvement within the civil service.
He reaffirmed the government’s policy of promoting career advancement from within the civil service, noting that the appointment of Permanent Secretaries would continue to prioritise experienced career officers while ensuring inclusivity and merit. He urged civil servants and organised labour to remain committed to government policies and the state’s developmental agenda.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Eugenia Abdallah, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Joy Ihensekhien, appreciated the Head of Service for the engagement, describing the visit as an opportunity to strengthen collaboration while promoting staff productivity, welfare and effective service delivery.
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