The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has called for the support and collaboration of the state’s workforce to sustain the government’s reforms in the civil and public service.

Obaseki, while delivering a goodwill message at the send-off ceremony in honour of retired heads of service and permanent secretaries, at the Government House, Benin City, said the reforms are aimed at retooling the service to become more responsive and deliver efficient and quality service to Edo people.

He said, “We have embarked on several reforms and have experienced a lot of pushbacks but it's left to you as civil and public servants to believe in these reforms and insist on sustaining what we have done. It's time to speak up to get the buy-in of all stakeholders to sustain the reform made by this administration.”

Describing the civil and public service as the engine of government and custodian of institutional legacy, he said “the engine of the vehicle must be in good shape to move the vehicle to its destination.”

Reassuring the government’s commitment to the wellbeing of the workers, Obaseki noted that “this administration has taken several decisions in favour of the people and is entrenching a system that will outlive this present administration and move the society forward.”

According to him, “Our policies are not to witch hunt anybody but to sustain the people and make life better for Edo people. I congratulate the retired senior civil and public servants who served and retired meritoriously from the Edo State Civil/Public Service.”

Urging the senior retirees to take advantage of the Edo State Health Insurance Scheme which has been provided by the government to meet their health needs, the governor added, “It's important to stay alive and be healthy. We have introduced the Edo State Health Insurance Scheme as part of a total revamp of our healthcare system. Please look at that scheme and see how we can use it to support you.”

Earlier, the Edo State Head of Service, Anthony Okungowa Esq., said, “On assumption of office in 2016, the Obaseki-led administration began a purposeful, deliberate and holistic transformation of the civil/public service. This effort birthed the Edo State Transformation and Enhancement Programme (Edo STEP).

"We have seen how this administration has transformed the environment in the public service. 24-hours electricity from Ossiomo Power has been a veritable game changer. The aesthetics of our work environment is second to none in Nigeria.

“The Edo State Government has achieved 100 percent e-governance coverage of the executive branch of government. We have on-boarded all 92 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) which have been further reduced to 72. What is important is that Edo State has become the only state in the federation with 100 percent e-governance.”

Also, Isaac Ehiozuwa, a former Head of Service thanked the governor for his transformational reforms in the civil and public service, urging workers’ support to sustain the gains recorded through the reforms.