The Delta State Head of Service, Mr Reginald Bayoko says training and retraining of the state workforce remains a priority to the state government.
Mr Bayoko who stated this during the flag-off of the 17th batch of the seven-weekend higher management course for officers on grade level 14 in the state civil service, said capacity development was key to promoting efficiency in governance.
While declaring the ceremony open at the Staff Development Centre, Asaba, Mr Bayoko said, one hundred and sixty-two senior civil servants on grade level-14 were involved in batch 17 of the training series.
The Head of Service commended the state governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, for approvals and providing the needed funds for training and retraining of civil servants in the state as strong and reliable partners in the implementation of government policies and programmes.
He said the programme is a must for all senior management staff who must attain grade level 15 and beyond, adding that at the end of the seven-weekend course they should be prepared and ready to write their examinations that will guarantee their promotion.
Mr Bayoko charged the participants to be focused to come out successfully, and well polished and prepared for the task ahead as Directors, Permanent Secretaries or even the Head of Service.
The Director-General, Administration Staff College of Nigeria, ASCON, Mrs Cecilia Gayya, represented by Goodluck Audu, said the course was to prepare participants for higher responsibilities as well as acquire requisite knowledge, skills and attitude for effective performance on their jobs in the state public service.
Mrs Gayya explained that the participants will be exposed to current thinking in the areas of good governance, transparency and accountability, and the extent to which they can apply acquired skills back on the job.
She stated that the foregoing objectives were the reason the state government attached so much importance to the training programme and charged all to give it the seriousness it deserves.
Some participants interviewed said they were delighted with the training programme as it will enhance their knowledge for better service delivery.
They thanked Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and the Head of Service, Mr Reginald Bayoko, for facilitating the programme.
