Govt trains local council workers on financial management

Council Managers and Treasurers in the 20 Local Governments and 37 Council Development Areas in Lagos have just completed capacity building programmes on “Knowledge Management, Sustainable Development and Public Financial Management Law.”

The event was among a series of capacity building programmes that are being organised periodically to equip local government administration for effective service delivery and sustainable development to grassroots communities in the State.

The Permanent Secretary in the Local Government Service Commission, Mr. Adewale Ashimi, who was at the event, said he was delighted to discover the programme achieved its objectives. He said his office collaborated with Lagos State Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC) to design and also implement the programme because of the belief in the pivotal role of Council Managers and Treasurers in the development of local council areas.

While noting that development had always been driven by the quality of people who provide services, Ashimi pointed out that the present administration’s commitment to developing all aspects of the state public service including the unified local government service is unparalleled. He said his office believes “in the competence of council managers and treasurers to inspire and motivate local government employees to deliver excellent service that will facilitate the realisation of the strategic vision of the state.”

Director General, PSSDC, Magodo, Mrs. Olubunmi Fabamwo, stated that the quality of the knowledge, skills and expertise available at the local government level are critical in enhancing the capacity of government to develop the grassroots.

Fabamwo charged participants to be committed to the course that will bring about the required change in their various offices, adding that this was imperative if the third tier of government would be fully integrated into the vision and development plan of the state government.

While commending the present government in Lagos for its efforts at promoting excellence and repositioning administration in the local governments, the participants at the end of the exercise said they appreciate the drive of the government to harmonise Public Service activities in the State in line with the roles and specific contributions of all sectors to development.

“The knowledge management workshop has empowered us with skills and techniques required to effectively manage local government personnel and to maximise capacity building investment, while the financial management law workshop has provided new vista into public service financial authorities and the application of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) in the preparation and presentation of financial management information at the LGAs.

“We, therefore, advocated the involvement of local government administrators at policy initiation, formulation and implementation to synchronise governmental activities and create synergy between the civil service and the local governments,” they said.