Kogi LG Service Commission Trains Directors on Performance Management, Service Delivery

By Habiba Onakpa

The Kogi State Local Government Service Commission has intensified efforts to strengthen grassroots governance with a capacity-building workshop for Directors of Administration and General Services from the state’s 21 local government areas.

The workshop, themed “Performance Management and Service Delivery for Local Government Staff,” was held on Wednesday at the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Hall in Lokoja.

It brought together key administrative officers to enhance their professional capacity, improve administrative efficiency and promote effective service delivery across the local government system.

The training was designed to equip participants with the knowledge, skills and practical approaches required for effective performance management, supervision, accountability and improved service delivery.

In his opening address, the Chairman of the Commission, Hon. Adams Adbenege, who was represented by the Commissioner for Training, Hon. Babadoko Suleiman, stressed the need for local government personnel, particularly Directors of Administration and General Services, to embrace a result-oriented approach to their responsibilities.

He urged the participants to uphold professionalism and ensure that government policies and programmes translate into tangible benefits for people at the grassroots.

The workshop also provided participants with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of performance monitoring, staff evaluation, institutional accountability and the importance of setting clear performance targets in achieving organisational goals.

Resource persons, Dr. Uguru Wisdom and Dr. Alfa Ebune, in their separate presentations, charged the Directors to serve as agents of administrative transformation in support of the development agenda of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.

They described the Directors as strategic advisers on workforce capability, conduct, deployment and performance, stressing the need for them to uphold integrity and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

The resource persons further encouraged the participants, as critical administrative officers in their respective local government areas, to demonstrate effective leadership, promote discipline, ensure proper coordination of administrative activities and foster productive working environments.

The training also underscored the importance of continuous capacity development in building a competent, responsive and efficient local government workforce capable of meeting the expectations of the people.

To make the session more interactive, participants were divided into three groups to share experiences, identify challenges affecting effective service delivery in their respective councils and explore practical solutions for improving administrative processes and institutional performance.

The initiative, according to the organisers, reflects the commitment of the Kogi State Local Government Service Commission to strengthening the capacity of the local government workforce through regular training, professional development and other capacity-building programmes.

At the end of the workshop, participants are expected to return to their respective local government areas with renewed commitment, enhanced administrative skills and a stronger sense of responsibility towards promoting efficiency, transparency and excellence in the public service.