SERVICE DELIVERY: INEC HOLDS TWO-DAY WORKSHOP ON FINAL TECHNICAL REVIEW OF SERVICE CHARTER

VOLUME: 2 N0:350 DATE: JANUARY 31, 2025

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has organised a two-day workshop on the final technical review of its Service Charter through the SERVICOM Division of INEC. The event was held in Abuja between 30th and 31st January 2025, with the primary objective of enhancing the skills and efficiency of INEC’s SERVICOM desk officers.

The workshop, a crucial step in strengthening service delivery within the Commission brought together key stakeholders and officials. In their opening remarks, the Chairman of the INEC Health and Welfare Committee, Prof. Sani M. Adam, SAN, and the Director of Administration, Mr. Austin N. Oroegbu, underscored the importance of the training. They emphasized that attentiveness to the workshop’s content was essential for boosting the effectiveness of INEC’s SERVICOM desk officers, ensuring they have the necessary skills and best practices to excel in their roles.

In her goodwill message, the Secretary to the Commission, Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, welcomed participants and commended the initiative. She acknowledged the positive outcomes of recent reviews within the Commission but stressed the need for continuous improvement. She reiterated INEC’s commitment to enhancing service delivery to the Nigerian people, ultimately reinforcing its dedication to conducting free, fair, and credible elections.

Speaking on the objectives of the workshop, Assistant Director of SERVICOM, Lovina E. Okorn-Ntui, outlined key expectations for participants. At the end of the technical review, participants are expected to have a clearer understanding of the services provided by their respective departments, including:

· Identifying the services offered and any associated processing fees.

· Establishing clear timelines for delivering each service.

· Defining channels for redress in case of service failures or gaps.

Additionally, she emphasized the need for well-defined strategies to implement these services effectively. The ultimate goal was to equip Departmental and Focal Desk Officers with the necessary expertise to drive SERVICOM initiatives and promote excellence in the Commission’s operations.

The workshop also featured insightful presentations from SERVICOM experts. Assistant Director and Deputy Head of Operations at the SERVICOM Office, Presidency, Mrs. Kikelomo Aina delivered a paper on the “Overview of SERVICOM/Roles and Responsibilities of SERVICOM Units and Committee Members.” She highlighted the vital role of the Commission’s SERVICOM Committee in the success of the Service Delivery Initiative (SDI) within the electoral sector. Among the Committee’s responsibilities are:

· Coordinating stakeholder consultation forums.

· Ensuring prompt action on complaints.

· Communicating with complainants on resolution measures.

· Periodically reviewing the complaints procedure in consultation with stakeholders.

Mrs. Aina emphasized that these functions are critical to sustaining the SERVICOM initiative and ensuring continuous improvement in delivering quality and timely services to Nigerians.

Similarly, Deputy Director and Head of Operations at the SERVICOM Office, Presidency, Mrs. Ngozi Akinbodewa, delivered a presentation on “Charter Presentation, Implementation, and Development.” She provided practical guidance on applying the Service Charter effectively, ensuring structured goal-setting, role clarity, and efficient resource utilization. Her insights aimed at improving officers’ ability to implement the Charter in line with INEC’s mandate and achieve optimal service outcomes.

It is expected that the knowledge and experience from the workshop will renew the commitment of participants to uphold and implement the principles of the SERVICOM initiative, ensuring improved service delivery within INEC. The final technical review of the Service Charter is expected to set the stage for enhanced efficiency and accountability in the Commission’s operations, reinforcing its mission to serve the Nigerian electorate effectively.