BRACED States Adopt Benin Declaration to Transform Public Service

By Milcah Tanimu

The BRACED Commission states, comprising Edo, Rivers, Delta, Cross River, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom, have finalized plans to adopt key components of the Benin Declaration to transform their civil and public services.

This decision emerged from a retreat for Heads of Service from the BRACED states, organized by the John Odigie-Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) in Edo State, held from July 3 to 5, 2024.

Participants at the retreat, themed “Leadership in the Public Sector: Strengthening Public Institutions,” drafted the Benin Declaration, a comprehensive roadmap for public services in the BRACED states over the next three years.

Imuwahen Ajoonu, Director General of JOOPSA, stated that the Heads of Service from the BRACED states are committed to the transformative initiatives agreed upon at the retreat. Key elements of the Benin Declaration include:

• Digital Literacy and Paperless Operations: By December 31, 2027, the civil and public services in the region will be fully digitized, transitioning to paperless operations to enhance efficiency and transparency.
• Capacity Building: By December 31, 2026, 50 percent of all civil and public servants in the BRACED states will have undergone basic skills training or attended specialized courses. This will be facilitated through the John Odigie-Oyegun Public Service Academy in Edo State and other national and international centers.
• Staff Motivation: Efforts will be made to improve the work environment, offer competitive wages, and provide other incentives to boost staff retention and reduce anti-intellectualism in the service.

The adoption of the Benin Declaration signifies a major step towards enhancing the efficiency, transparency, and overall effectiveness of public service in the BRACED states, setting a precedent for other regions in the country.