Gombe SGS advocates integrity as driver to social economic, institutional development

BY PERISCOPE NIGERIA

Gombe SGS advocates integrity as driver to social economic, institutional development

The Secretary to the Government of Gombe State, Professor Ibrahim Njodi, says when public service is infused with integrity, it promotes trust, accountability, and good governance, leading to better outcomes for the nation’s growth and development.

Njodi made these disclosures while delivering a keynote address at an integrity innovation lab workshop with the theme “Incentivising Integrity in Public Service for National Development in Nigeria”, held on Wednesday at Flourish Hotel.

PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that the two-day workshop was organised by accountability lab Nigeria in collaboration with Due Process Gombe State, with support from MacArthur Foundation and Ford Foundation

Represented by the Director-General Research and Documentation Government House, Dr Mua’zu Shehu, the SGS noted that integrity is an essential aspect of any successful society, adding that it’s particularly crucial for public institutions entrusted with the task of serving the public.

He explained that the Nigerian government recognises the importance of fostering a culture of integrity within the public service, because of the crucial role it plays in achieving national development goals.

“Public service integrity refers to the ethical and moral conduct of public officials in the discharge of their duties. It involves upholding high standards, acting with integrity, and making decisions in the best interest of the public. When public service is infused with integrity, it promotes trust, accountability, and good governance, leading to better outcomes for the nation,” Njodi said.

Professor Njodi noted that in a country plagued by corruption, upholding integrity in public service is essential for the well-being of its citizens and the success of its institutions.

He said the practice of integrity encompasses honesty, impartiality, and ethical behaviour in all aspects of official duties, stressing that when public servants act with integrity, they are committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and accountability.

He added, “Integrity in public service is vital for effective governance. It ensures that decisions are fair and just, taking into account the public interest and the rule of law. Corruption and unethical practices undermine good governance, leading to inefficiencies, lack of accountability, and ineffective governance structures. By promoting integrity, Nigeria can foster a culture of transparency, accountability, and citizen participation, thereby strengthening its democratic processes.”

According to him, in a bid to entrench integrity in public service, the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya established the Bureau for Public Service Reforms to monitor the implementation of reforms and provide guidance and technical assistance.

Other reforms carried out by the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya include strengthening of the state Fiscal Responsibility Commission to oversee the implementation of the administration’s fiscal responsibility initiatives, Restructuring and strengthening the Bureau of Public Procurement, Establishing to entrench transparency and accountability in public procurement. Reform and strengthening of the Debt Management Agency,” the SGS added.

He added that mandatory biometric verification of civil servants was introduced in an effort to address ghost worker syndrome and absenteeism which has so far led to the removal of over 2,600 ghost workers from the payroll as well as

Participatory and open budgeting processes were implemented to ensure that the resources allocated were being used effectively.

“In addition, a new tracking system was introduced to monitor budget performance.

Effective land administration reforms through the Gombe Geographic Information system that led to better land use management and improved land governance. This also helped streamline the land registration process and reduce administrative bottlenecks in land administration,” he added.

The Gombe chief scribe reiterated that as part of the administration’s efforts to promote transparency and accountability, the State Internal Revenue Service was strengthened by passing a new revenue generation law, which dramatically reduced revenue leakages over the past four years and improved revenue generation by more than 100 per cent.

JD

IO

SGS office