Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has approved the establishment of front offices in each block within the state secretariat at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, in order to check the menace of touts.

The Head of Service (HoS), Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, who made this known in his office at Oke-Mosan, while inaugurating an inter-ministerial committee on the establishment of front offices, said the initiative would enhance strict compliance to resumption time, curb loitering and other unofficial activities in the secretariat, hinting that Block A would be the pilot scheme.

He pointed out that members of the committee were expected to draw staff from Ministries, Departments and Agencies, as well as develop security personnel to man the front offices on rotational basis, partner private sector to key into the project as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility, charging them to be alive to their responsibilities, to make the Civil Service more efficient and improve security within the office environment. 

The HoS noted that the state Civil Service as one of the best in the nation, must sustain the good standard, in terms of discipline, work-ethics and conducive atmosphere for government business to thrive.

While delivering a presentation on the project's objectives and methodology, the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Mr. Jola Oyeneye, who also doubles as the coordinator of the project, explained that the project would go a long way in curbing insecurity and other unofficial activities which is now a cause of concern, as well as enhance staff productivity.

Mr. Oyeneye added that it would also ensure strict compliance to resumption time, while unofficial excuses from work would be reduced, just as blockage of revenue leakages, occasioned by unscrupulous activities of touts, particularly around revenue generating agencies.

He highlighted various methodologies in implementing the policy to include, blocking of all entries and existing routes against unwanted visitors, hawkers, loiters, as well as touts, saying that “clock in and clock out” system for effective monitoring would also be introduced.

Members of the inter-ministerial committee include, Permanent Secretaries from Bureaux of Public Service Reforms, Mr. Jola Oyeneye; Cabinet and Security Services, Alhaji Olanrewaju Saka and others in Block A of the state secretariat.

The Permanent Secretaries Teaching Service Commission, Mrs Melutia Ogunremi, Civil Service Commission, Mrs Roseline Jacobs, State Pensions, Mrs. Arinola Adetayo appreciated the state government for the laudable project saying that distraction during office hours would be curbed and effectiveness would be enhanced.