18th July, 2018
Kazeem Ugbodaga
The Lagos State Government on Wednesday warned Local Government revenue collection officers against corruption, vowing to punish anyone caught diverting government’s money for personal use.
Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Babatunde Rotinwa gave this warning while declaring open the 2018 Certificate Course in Local Government Administration held at the Public Service Staff Development Centre, PSSDC, Magodo area of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.
Rotinwa said he knew that some Local Government revenue collection officers diverted government’s money into their private account, saying that “if we catch you, we will show you the way out. Be honest in your dealings.”
Rotinwa, who was represented by a commissioner in the Local Government Service Commission, Babs Akinyanmi appealed to the 71 staff undergoing the training to make the best use of the opportunity offered to upgrade themselves.
“Don’t sit tight on your present position in your office. Spend your money to improve yourself and don’t spend your money on parties. Some of you drink extensively that you don’t take care for your family, especially some of you who are revenue collection officers,” he said.
In his welcome address, the Director General, PSSDC, Dr. Olufunmi Ajose-Harrison said it was compulsory for the staff of LG to display quality and standard performance in the provision of essential social services to the people, saying this could be realized through effective staff training and development.
“Local Government staff should be exposed to continuous knowledge and skill that will help improve the quality of service rendered by them. For officers on your grade levels, the fear of stagnation as a result of non-availability of training opportunities could hinder productivity. That fear is no longer your lot.
“As a result of your participation in this course, you have the opportunity to break the yoke posed by stagnation which is an appropriate foundation for you to build on higher educational and occupational career heights. The course is designed not only to remove your fears about stagnation but also to equip you with skills necessary for the efficient and effective performance of your job,” he said.
According to him, the possession of a Certificate at the end of this course was a major requirement for promotion by the Local Government, adding that the certificate was also acceptable for admission into the Diploma programme in Local Government Administration and Development Studies, a collaboration of Lagos State University and PSSDC, Magodo.
Ajose-Harrison said at the end of the course, the trainees would be able topass the examination to upgrade their educational background; perform their assigned duties satisfactorily and obtain the Certificate in Local Government Administration.
He urged the participants to display excellent academic and moral standards throughout the duration of the course, stressing that the government placed a high premium on hard work, diligence and punctuality.