HoS, AIG FLAG OFF SOPs

HoS, AIG FLAG OFF SOPs

The four-year partnership between the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and the Africa Initiative for Governance (AIG) has heralded the development and handing over of twenty-six (26) documented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) manuals to the OHCSF and the Federal Civil Service in general. The SOPs are one stop documents which help to standardize tasks in the service.

Speaking at the handling over ceremony which took place on Tuesday April 20, 2021 in Abuja, the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan disclosed that the main objective of SOPs is to develop an effective system that complies with industry–specific regulations and standards in order to significantly reduce or avoid operational errors as well as unwanted work variations.

The adoption of SOPs will ensure efficient, effective and productive civil service, adding that for a dynamic civil service to be achieved, it was pertinent to have laid down standards of operation.

According to Dr. Yemi-Esan, plan is underway to get the Nigeria Civil Service Standard Operating Procedures certified by the International Standard Organisation (ISO). With the SOPs certification, service will be working closely with the SERVICOM department to ensure compliance with the standards across all MDAs.

The HoS also revealed that the office has selected some Ministries to pilot the SOPs implementation within the Federal Civil Service. They pilot Ministries are, Federal Civil Service Commission, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, State House and the Federal Ministry of Transportation.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman, Africa Initiative for Governance (AIG), Mr. Aigboje   Aig-Imoukhuede commended the HoS for continuing the process she met in the Office without which there would be no sustainability. He reiterated that the adoption of SOPs was a bold step for the good of the service and Nigeria, in general. Success is achieved when operating standards are put in place, he added. According to him with SOPs in Service, Nigeria cannot be the same again.

Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties Office, Mrs Ibiene Roberts said that the SOPs are aimed at developing an effective system.

In a goodwill message from the Permanent Secretary, Service Policy and Strategies Office (SPSO), Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, SOPs in service will ensure uniformity of operations across board which is very good for the service. He however enjoined the service to embrace it.

Permanent Secretaries, Directors, AIG team, SOPs champions in the OHCSF and the Press were in attendance.

 

Iheoma-Hart Queenet (Mrs)

For: Director, Press & Public Relations Unit

 20th April, 2021