Ondo State government has expressed its commitment to the implementation of South west agenda on regional integration.
The commissioner for regional integration and special duties, Prof. Bayonile Ademodi spoke on Monday while declaring open a workshop on the implementation of Southwest programme document on service delivery held in Akure, the state capital
Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dele Ogunwolere, an Engineer, the commissioner said participants at the event were drawn from all relevant ministries, Department and Agencies, (MDA’s) on the development and implementation plan for Ondo State on the south west documentation plan for service delivery.
According to him, the workshop was organized by the ministry in collaboration with the Development Agenda for the Western Nigeria Commission, (DAWN) as part of South west agenda to enhance development in the region.
Ademodi pointed out that the programme was to equally sensitise the workforce on the need to ensure reform in the public sector to enhance service delivery and kick-start the implementation of the south west agenda.
He said the ministry which was created by the present administration in the state has key in to the agenda of DAWN commission for rapid integration and development of the state in south western part of the country.
The Commissioner stressed that the ministry has been sensitising various sector to ensure they understand the agenda.
Ademodi said the ministry had earlier sensitised top government officials and political holders late last year on the agenda of regional integration.
To this end,he charged the participants to avail themselves the opportunity of being more informed and educated on western regional integration so as to facilitate the programme in the state.
The Director, Regional Integration in the ministry, Pastor Edmond Akintunde who gave overview of the ministry affirmed that each region have shared tradition, history, language among others, stressing the need to unite and speak with one voice to achieve development.
He said the state government would leverage on the south west programme document for it to be properly facilitated.
Akintunde said the programme was organised as a guide to develop implementation plan in each state to improve service delivery
He affirmed that all critical MDA’s in the state are to look at the document at the event and develop sectorial plan on how it relates with them.
According to him, participants are to review the document together for the state effective ways of implementation.
The Director said the ministry’s mandate is to be the coordinating hub and oversees all activities of regional groups and organisation to improve public service delivery
The DAWN commission representatives at the event who are the facilitators took the participants through what the commission is all about to key into the laid down objectives of regional integration in the southwest.
