South South states adopt BRACED Benin declaration to transform public service

In an attempt to revolutionize the civil and public service in the region, the states that make up the BRACED Commission, which consists of Edo, Rivers, Delta, Cross River, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom, have finalized plans to adopt significant portions of the Benin Declaration.

It was one of the outcomes of a retreat for state heads of state in the area, which was held from July 3–5, 2024, at the John Odigie-Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA), which is owned by the Edo State government.

The “Benin Declaration,” a detailed plan outlining public services in the BRACED states for the ensuing three years, was drafted by the retreat attendees under the theme “Leadership in the Public Sector: Strengthening Public Institutions.”

In a document made available to journalists by the Director General of JOOPSA, Imuwahen Ajoonu, the BRACED states’ head of service have shown commitment to the transformative initiative agreed at the retreat.

The key elements in the document include, “Digital literacy and paperless operations: By December 31, 2027, which will ensure that the civil and public services in the region will be digitized, transitioning to paperless operations to enhance efficiency and transparency.

“Capacity Building: By December 31, 2026, 50 per cent 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, as well as 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.”