Lagos State Government has concluded arrangements on building and sustaining a digitalised public service to resonate with the current realities placed on it by the challenges of meeting the needs and yearnings of the populace.
Speaking at a Public Lecture held on Wednesday in Alausa, Ikeja, as part of activities marking the Year 2023 Public Service Week, the Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, said the State public servants must adapt their service delivery to the realities of the present period where technology has become an integral part of daily lives.
Muri-Okunola added that such adaptation would be in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S PLUS agenda of the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to continuously meet the evolving needs of our citizens. He noted that a key advantage of a digitalised public service is its ability to increase efficiency and productivity while enhancing accessibility and inclusivity.
His words, “From online platforms for applying for permits and licences to digital portals for accessing information and resources, the potential for innovation is vast. By implementing user-friendly interfaces, streamlining processes and harnessing the power of automation, we can improve the overall experience for citizens”.
“Manual processes that are time-consuming and prone to human error can be replaced by automated systems, freeing up valuable resources that can be redirected towards more critical tasks”, he added.
Speaking on the lecture’s topic, “Building and Sustaining a Digitalized Public Service”, Muri-Okunola said beyond building a digitalised public service, there is a need to sustain same.
According to him, the state government is doing this by ensuring that citizens and public servants alike are equipped with the necessary skills to navigate and utilise digital tools effectively.
In his paper, the Guest Speaker, Mr. Dada Joseph, MNI, stated that in building a digitalized public service, we must recognise the fact that technology has transformed the way we interact with the populace and other stakeholders as government agencies and institutions.
The event also witnessed the recognition of the year 2023 Outstanding Public Servants, senior and junior categories, variety shows, and presentation of prizes to winners.
