Edo civil, public service most digitised in Nigeria, says Okungbowa

Edo State Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa, has said ongoing reforms in the state’s civil and public service by the Governor Godwin Obaseki administration has repositioned the state’s service as the most digitised in the country.

Okungbowa, in a statement, noted that the government, in the past six years, has focused on leveraging technology to improve efficiency, transparency, and service delivery to Edo people.

He said: “The Obaseki government, through a series of innovative reforms and investments in digital infrastructure, has been able to enhance productivity and transparency, reduce bureaucracy, and improve the overall performance in our civil and public service.

“We have introduced the e-governance platform and transitioned from manual to electronic processes in our service.  We have hired a new generation of civil servants and are training and equipping them with the necessary skills and tools to fully embrace and utilise digital technology in their day-to-day work of delivering effective and efficient service to Edo people. Today, Edo State Public Service is the most digitised public service in Nigeria.”

Okungbowa also claimed that Edo civil and public service is the best-paid service in Nigeria, paying a N40,000 minimum wage, while other states pay N30,000.

“There are no arrears of promotion in the state civil and public service as the government has approved the 2022 promotion for staff.

“The government has kept faith with prompt and regular payment of staff across the service. February 2023 salaries have been paid already. Salaries in Edo are paid not later than the 26th of every month.”

“Edo has one of the best Public Service Academies (JOOPSA) in Nigeria. The government ensures a merit-based employment process in public service.  The governor has not forwarded the name of a single person for appointment in the public service, the same for other top government functionaries. Unprecedented in Edo State,” he added.