The Lagos State Parastatals Monitoring Office (PMO) has tasked Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS) officers in various parastatals and agencies of government to create effective planning processes to achieve their organisations’ set goals and objectives.
The Permanent Secretary of the PMO, Pharm. (Mrs.) Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu gave the charge in her welcome address at a workshop organised by the Office for the officers, with the theme: “Effective Planning and Budgeting as a Tool for Accountability and Service Delivery in Tandem with the T.H.E.M.E.S. Developmental Agenda”, held recently at the State Treasury Resource Centre.
She noted that the workshop was geared towards enhancing the capacity of the participants to function effectively in the line of duty as they have a key role to play in the successful implementation of the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda.
“As planning officers, you are expected to prepare the budget proposals and collate data which result in policy formulation and implementation by government and the appropriate parastatals/agencies. This budget determines how far government can go in the provision of essential social services to the people and also serves as a guide for government’s expenditure in running the State”, she said.
Mrs. Oke-Osanyintolu added that their roles in moving the State to greater heights cannot be over-emphasised as Lagos, under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has continued to implement people-oriented projects, hence, they must not shy away from advising their Chief Executive Officers on effective budget utilisation to enhance accountability and efficient service delivery.
In her words: “I wish to enjoin you all to acquire relevant knowledge that will make you more useful, valuable and ultimately translates to respect and reward”.
Speaking on the workshop’s theme, Assistant Chief Planning Officer, Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, Mr. Oyedeji Adeyemi, explained that planning processes are not complete until derivative steps are taken to achieve the desired results, stressing the importance of carrying out budget monitoring and implementation as officers.
He said: “You must realise that budget preparation is not an end in itself so it must be followed to the letter. Your planning process is not complete until derivative steps are taken to achieve results”.
Adeyemi advised the officers to always be conscious of achieving value for money in their planning and budgeting processes which must have economic value, be efficient and effective in achieving programme outcomes concerning the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of Mr. Governor in their parastatals and agencies.
On her part, Assistant Director, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Ms. Olubukola Akinsanya, who spoke on the topic: “Budget Implementation as a Catalyst to Delivering the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda”, stated that every budget must be time-bound, achievable, transparent and accountable to achieve its set goals and objectives.
She added that their roles as planning, research and statistics officers remain pivotal in ensuring effective service delivery, noting that the effectiveness of budget implementation will speed up the delivery of Mr. Governor’s lofty plans and goals for Lagos State.
