………… Says effective service delivery, cornerstone of good governance.
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has charged staff of the ministry to embrace speed, efficiency and result while handling tasks in their various offices.
The Minister gave the charge on the occasion of Customer Service Week Celebration in the Ministry organised by the Reform Coordination and Service Improvement Department under the SERVICOM Ministerial charter.
Dangiwa further encouraged the staff to be result oriented and always strive not to be the weakling in the chain of effective Service Delivery to Nigerians.
The theme for the 2024 Customer Service Week is “Above and Beyond” and SERVICOM which is an acronym for “Service Compact”, is an initiative aimed at putting the average Nigerian at the centre of its activities to ensure satisfactory Customer Service.
The Minister lauded the theme of this year’s Customer Service Week, saying it has provided a moment of reflection as the Ministry works towards the delivery of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
While emphasizing on the important role of the Civil Service in the effective service delivery to Nigerians, the Minister commended the Civil Service structure at the Ministry under the leadership of the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi for the efforts towards achieving greater milestones in the Ministry.
He outlined some of the remarkable jobs being done by the Ministry over the past one year, aimed at actualizing the Renewed Hope Housing Agenda of the President to include; the ongoing construction of 6,612 housing units across 13 states of the Federation and FCT, with ownership options of 30-year mortgage plan, rent-to-own, installmental payments as well as outright purchase.
The Minister also informed of the commencement of additional construction of 5,500 Units of Renewed Hope Cities; 2000 units in Lagos, 1500 units in Kano and 2000 units in Enugu State, adding that the launch of an online Renewed Hope Housing delivery portal was to ensure easy and transparent access of the houses purchase to Nigerians.
Accordingly, Dangiwa mentioned a significant progress achieved by the Ministry in the implementation of the National Urban Renewal and Slum Upgrade which focuses on infrastructural developments; he said “53 projects are being completed, while 54 are ongoing at various level of completion”.
Another notable milestone pointed out by the Minister is the collaboration of the Ministry with the World Bank to launch the National Land Registration and Titling program, aimed at addressing issues of unregistered lands in the Country.
He as well informed that the framework for the National Social Housing Fund which seeks to provide decent and quality housing to the low income earners, is at advance stage of completion.
Accordigly, Dangiwa expressed delight in the service award presented to him, the Permanent Secretary, and selected management and staff, further commending the professionalism and commitment of the Director overseeing the Department of Reform Coordination and Service Improvement in providing citizen centered services.
He recognized that effective service delivery is the cornerstone of good governance, and further assured that the Ministry will continue to prioritize citizens’ needs and feedback in providing affordable housing for all Nigerians.
Earlier in his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi advised the staff to take their level of commitment and activity far above and beyond to provide the needed satisfaction for the customers.
He also extolled the head of the department of Reform Coordination and Service Improvement Mrs. Philips for modeling what is expected of every department of the Ministry.
The Permanent Secretary mentioned that the ministry has taken some measures to ensure good service delivery, such as: a face lift in the appearance of the Ministry, provision of constant light, prioritizing staff welfare, payment of death benefits, among others.
“We are doing all we can to ensure that staff put in their best to bring out a good customer -staff relationship”, he said.
In her remarks, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of SERVICOM, Mrs. Nnenna Akajemeli informed that the Customer Service week which is celebrated annually is a platform to encourage and appreciate the service providers, raise awareness on the value of customer service and also reward employees.
On the theme for the year “Above and Beyond”, Akajemeli stated that to be above and beyond, one has to give excellent services that inspire loyalty and satisfaction each time people come for service.
She appreciated every member of staff for a job well done in providing services, and particularly applauded the innovation and digitization of the Certificate of Occupancy (C.of.O), introduced in the Housing Ministry.
In her speech, the Deputy Director overseeing the department of Reform Coordination and Service Improvement Mrs. Philips-Ogoniba Ibifuro, brought to light some notable achievements of the Department since its emergence in the Housing Ministry, in March, 2024.
She disclosed the provision of a work station as temporary relief to the office space challenge being faced in the Ministry, the equipment of the Ministry’s Call Centre which is yet to take-off, as well as the FMHUD Service Charter in progress, to be launched before the end of the year.
Other achievements are the placement of a 55 inches Television screen at the reception of the Ministry, to disseminate information about the Ministry’s Vision and Mission, as well as the Renewed Hope Homes Projects.
Mrs. Philips was also delighted to inform about one of the Innovative Ideas of the Ministry from a staff, Mr. Gerald Emesonwu, the Head of Lands Information System Unit, who developed an Electronic Certificate of Occupancy (e-C.of.O), this according to her, is in compliance with the Head of Service directive for Ministries to come up with Innovative Ideas.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to the Honorable Minister, and the Permanent Secretary, selected Directors and staff of the Ministry as SERVICOM Ambassadors.
The event also featured talks on Service Delivery, Health, as well as security tips.
Salisu Badamasi Haiba
Director (Information and Public Relations)
