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Yemi-Esan hails Justice Ministry on implementation of FG’s reform initiatives

The Head of the Federal Civil Service of the Federation (HoSF), Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, has rated the Federal Ministry of Justice highly on the implementation of the reform initiatives encapsulated in the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021-2025 (FCSSIP25).

Yemi-Esan, who led a team of Permanent Secretaries in her office and a few from other ministries in an unscheduled visit to the Ministry of Justice, acknowledged that the Ministry is doing a lot in the implementation as well as institutionalisation of the six (6) pillars of FCSSIP25.

Director, Communications, Mohammed Ahmed, in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, said the surprise visit was to have an on-the-spot assessment of the status of implementation of the reform initiatives encapsulated in FCSSIP25.

According to the statement, this was also aimed at ensuring that what was on the ground was physically aligned with the reports she had been reading.

Yemi-Esan disclosed that the current overall performance rating of the Ministry is 74 per cent, indicating steady progress of 10 per cent compared to the last, while also encouraging the Ministry to maintain the tempo with a view to reaching the zenith.

While scoring the Ministry high on capability building, talent management, performance management systems, and staff welfare, she tasked the Permanent Secretary/Solicitor General of the Federation, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, to ensure that scores assigned to officers tally with output that could easily be tracked.

Dr Yemi-Esan reiterated the need to take good care of civil servants, insisting that “when they are well taken care of, the service reaps the result of their increased productivity.”

Earlier in her opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor General of the Federation expressed her gladness that her ministry was the first to be visited for the FCSSIP25 implementation status review exercise.

According to her, FCSSIP25 is an excellent reform programme that provides a roadmap that drives change and improvement in service delivery.

Mrs Jedy-Agba is assured of the Ministry’s readiness and commitment towards implementing the reform agenda for informed decision-making and repositioning the service for increased productivity.

She presented the Ministry’s scorecard on the implementation of FCSSIP25, touching on virtually all the pillars, namely capability building and talent management, performance management systems, IPPIS (human resources), innovation, digitalization of content services, and enhancing value propositions for civil servants.

According to the presentation, a lot is being done to improve the welfare of the workers, some of which the visitors witnessed and as reported by the staff of the Ministry, represented by the Union President, who attested to the true state of things.

Some of the achievements mentioned were the up-to-date payment of the outstanding 1st 28-day allowance, the death benefit of deceased staff, all outstanding staff claims, and the purchase of staff buses to ease transportation.

Also, facilities in the Ministry are being upgraded to international standards, starting with the lobby, the first point of contact, renovation of all the toilets, uninterrupted electricity supply, and an overhaul of the entire air-conditioning system.

The Ministry is also constructing a creche, gym, and staff canteen for enhanced staff wellbeing. The visitors were taken on a tour of the construction sites, having seen the others upon arrival.

The Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN, appreciated the HoSF for her dedication to uplifting the service and unique leadership style. He promised that the ministry would do all it could to keep the cart flying. He also prayed for her as she retires from the office soon.

Accompanying the HoSF on the tour of duty was the incoming HoSF, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, OON. mni, Permanent Secretaries in Charge of Special Duties Office (SDO)-OHCSF, Dr Magdalene Ajani, Service Policies and Strategies Office (SPSO)-OHCSF, Dr Deborah Odoh, Career Management Office (CMO)-OHCSF, Mr Adeoye Adeleye, Federal Ministries of Power, Mr Mamuda Mamman, and Youth Development, Dr Ahmed Dunoma, as well as the Director, Overseeing Service Welfare Office-OOHCSF, Dr Comfort Adeosun.

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