The Delta State Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) has organised a three-day strategic retreat for top management officials of the Unified Local Government Service, aimed at enhancing administrative efficiency, accountability, and grassroots development across the state.
The retreat, organised in collaboration with Hospitrane Consulting Limited, is taking place at Wetland Hotel, Ughelli, and brings together Heads of Personnel Management (HPMs), Treasurers of Local Governments (TLGs), and other senior officials in the local government system.
Delivering the keynote address on the theme, “Improving Human Resources Management and Financial Management/Accountability in the Unified Local Government Service of Delta State,” the Senior Policy Adviser to the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Funkekeme Solomon, described human resource management as the driving force behind effective governance and service delivery.
He stressed that the quality, discipline, motivation, deployment, and performance of personnel largely determine the success of any organisation, urging local government councils to prioritise staff development, ethical conduct, and productivity-driven administration.
According to him, poor management of human resources often results in inefficiency, low staff morale, duplication of duties, absenteeism, and weak service delivery. He also underscored the importance of prudent financial management, noting that accountability, transparency, and discipline in the management of public funds are essential ingredients of good governance.
Solomon commended the Commission for organising the retreat, describing it as a timely platform for local government administrators to reassess existing practices and embrace modern standards of governance. He urged participants to adopt innovative approaches that would promote transparency, efficiency, and results-oriented service delivery.
Earlier, while declaring the retreat open, the Chairman of the Delta State Local Government Service Commission, Hon. Joseph Otirhue, said the programme was designed to strengthen the capacity of senior officers responsible for personnel and financial administration in the local government system.
He noted that public officers must continue to uphold professionalism, integrity, transparency, and accountability in the discharge of their duties, emphasizing that human resources remain the most valuable asset of any organisation.
Otirhue stated that effective recruitment, continuous capacity building, staff development, performance evaluation, and adherence to public service regulations are critical to achieving organisational goals and improving service delivery at the grassroots.
The Commission Chairman further observed that financial accountability remains a cornerstone of sustainable development, adding that citizens expect government institutions to manage public resources responsibly and deliver value through prudent expenditure.
He commended Heads of Personnel Management and Local Government Treasurers for their dedication to public service and encouraged them to actively participate in the retreat with a shared commitment to strengthening local government administration across the state.
Resource persons at the retreat, including Pastor Afolabi Adun and Mr. Abel Koghene Omolu, delivered lectures on strategic leadership in local government administration as well as financial discipline and accountability.
The speakers challenged participants to remain transparent, disciplined, and accountable in the performance of their duties, stressing that effective leadership and sound financial management are essential for sustainable grassroots development.o
