The Federal Capital Territory Administration has reiterated its commitment to building the capacity of its personnel to enhance efficiency
The Permanent Secretary in the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Mr. Olusade Adeola made the commitment while declaring open a 2-day workshop for the top and middle management cadre of the FCT Emergency Management Agency,(FEMA) in Abuja. In his words, “Knowledge and skills are working capital that personnel needs to drive home government policies and programs. It is for this reason that I always prioritize opportunities for participation in capacity-building initiatives of this nature”.
He enjoined the participants not to lose focus on the purpose of the workshop.
“It is organized to provide the knowledge required in our efforts towards achieving the mandate of our organization FEMA. As drivers of this mandate much are expected from you at the end of this program”.
The Permanent Secretary further stated that FEMA has done creditably well in managing emergency crises resulting from flooding this year and attributed this to regular training of personnel. He said, “They have been working to minimize our risk. When you watch in other States 500 graves washed away by the flood, number of persons washed away by the flood, but because of the proactive steps of FEMA we have been able to manage emergency crises resulting from flooding”. He said.
Earlier, in a welcome remark, the Resident Representative of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung(KAS), Ms. Marija Peran informed that the political foundation with 100 offices across the world had been operating in Nigeria for 20 years. She stated that the foundation was in Nigeria to promote political reforms and security sector reforms.
Also speaking, the Director General of FEMA, Alhaji Abbas Idriss said,” Capacity building is something you continue to learn in a dynamic situation whereby there are different seasons and climate change. The season you had yesterday is not the same as today. We need to update ourselves to ensure we are at par with the situation to be able to respond effectively”.
The workshop covered topics ranging from “work ethics and values in public service”, “analysis of emergency management policies”, “public procurement and prospects” as well as “distinguishing on-site and off-site emergency preparedness plan”.
Other subject matters discussed at the workshop include, “strategic communication in the Management of emergencies”, “financial regulations in the public service: the banana peels”, “overlapping mandates among security agencies: understanding the Establishment Acts’ and “Dynamics of reforms in the public service”.
In a closing remark, the DG FEMA assured KAS that ” We will justify the financial and human resource inputs involved in making this workshop possible. I want to assure you that this will be expressed in improved service delivery in areas of our operation both within the Agency and to the general public to whom we owe so much”. He said.
Idriss also noted that
” In furtherance of the outcomes of this workshop and in line with recommendations by our able resource persons, FEMA will return home t build a working group in order to improve efficiency in the emergency management system in the Federal Capital Territory”.
He appreciated the facilitator of the workshop, the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, the sponsor Konrad Adenauer Stiftung(KAS) and the Minister of the FCT and his counterpart Minister of State as well as the Permanent Secretary in the FCTA for their contributions to the success of the workshop.
Nkechi Isa
Head, Public Affairs.