COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 5-DAY KATSINA STATE GOVERNMENT RETREAT THEMED “A ROBUST PUBLIC SERVICE – KEY TO RAPID SOCIETAL DEVELOPMENT” ORGANIZED FOR THE STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND OTHER TOP GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HELD FROM MONDAY 23rd – FRIDAY 27th JANUARY, 2017 AT FIFTH CHUKKER RESORT, KADUNA

PREAMBLE:

1.1 The Administration of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, CFR, fnim in Katsina State came on board with a philosophical foundation anchored on a well articulated Restoration Agenda aimed at restoring the State to its lost glory.  Coming half way into its First Term, the Administration found it desirous for Stakeholders to undertake a critical assessment of the journey so far regarding the progress recorded and challenges met on the path of attaining its set goals and objectives, with a view to tackling them so as to effectively prepare for a successful outing against the second lap of the First Term.

1.2 It was on this premise, that this Retreat was organized with the theme “A Robust Public Service – Key to Rapid Societal Development” which took place from 23rd – 27th January, 2017 at the 5th Chukker Resort, Jos Road, Kaduna.  The Retreat essentially aimed at repositioning Public Office Holders both elected and appointed towards further imbibing the virtues of good governance for effective service delivery and rapid development of Katsina State as targeted by the Restoration Agenda.
 
2.0 OPENING CEREMONY:

2.1 The Retreat was formally declared open by His Excellency, the Governor, who also personally and humbly chaired proceedings as a mark of his commitment towards its successful conduct.  Similarly, His Excellency, the Deputy Governor also chaired sessions in the absence of His Excellency, the Governor.  The Rt. Hon. Speaker, Deputy Speaker and other Hon. Members also participated actively in the Retreat.

2.2 In his Keynote Address, His Excellency, the Governor emphasized that manpower training and development is an integral part of the policy thrust of his Administration, hence the series of trainings conducted for or attended by Executive Council Members, Permanent Secretaries, Directors and other cadres in the State Public Service, both locally and internationally.

3.0 PRESENTATIONS:

3.1 The Retreat witnessed the presentation of 10 papers that were carefully selected to position the participants on a sound pedestal towards the realization of the aspirations and objectives of the Restoration Agenda of the State Administration. The distinguished personalities who served as Resource Persons comprised of seasoned past and serving Public Servants, Political Icons and scholars who shared their fountain of knowledge, specialization and professional experiences with the participants on a variety of topical issues pertaining to the policies, programmes and governmental processes and procedures. The papers presented included:

Muhinmanchin Rikon Amana Ga Aikin Gwamnati “the Importance of Trustworthiness in Public Service” by Prof. Arsalam Muhammad, ABU, Zaria.

LEAD PAPER: Restoration Agenda as a Vehicle for Rapid Transformation of Katsina State: Issues and Challenges by Alh. Muntari Lawal, SA/PS Government House.

Structure and Role of the State Executive Council in Katsina State: Understanding the Code of Ethics, the Workings and the Role of the State EXCO by Mallam Abidu R. Yazid.

Good Governance through Restructured and Harmonious working Relationship between Politicians and Civil Servants by Prof. Saddiq I. Ridda.

Effective Preparation and Presentation of Council Memos and Executive Bills by Alhaji Muhammad Lawal Aliyu, mai.

Public Procurement Policies and New Zero Base Budgetary Process by DFID Representative.

Dialogue on the Economics of Effective and Efficient Public Financial Management by Prof. Shehu Dalhatu, Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria.

Harmonization of Youth and Women Empowerment Programs for Effective Grassroots Development by Maj. (Dr) A.S Imam (NDA Kaduna).

Executive Stress Management in the Public Sector by Alh Ibrahim S. Othman (ELCS).

A syndicate presentation on Executive-Legislature Relationship was equally made, led by His Excellency, the Governor with inputs by Rt. Hon. Speaker and former and serving Legislators at State and Federal levels.

Having painstakingly and successfully digested the issues raised in the presentations on the one hand, and the elaborate comments, observations and suggestions by the participants during the question and answer sessions, the Retreat was able to arrive at some far reaching resolutions.

RESOLUTIONS:

4.1 The Retreat affirmed the sanctity of public trust guided by the fear of Allah.  To achieve this, merit, motivation and sanctions should be applied justly in the conduct of Government business;

4.2 The Retreat considered the philosophy espoused by the Restoration Agenda and expressed confidence on the level of adherence and attainment so far and therefore urged sustenance of the momentum to guard against inertia and lethargy.  It was also recognized that the Government has accorded MDAs due leverage to perform their statutory functions, hence the implementers should have the courage to do the right thing in the implementation of Government policies and programmes;

4.3 The Retreat recognized the fundamental role of the State Executive Council as the highest policy making organ of the State Government.  Accordingly, the importance of observing and respecting the basic ethics, norms and conduct as driving principles of an effective and efficient Executive Council were analyzed and upheld;

4.4 The primacy of synergy between the Legislature and Executive, Politicians, Civil Servants and between and within MDAs, should be promoted in the conduct of Governmental affairs.  In particular it was resolved that harmonious working relationship between Legislature and Executive Arm is critical in bringing about rapid transformation/development. Thus, both Arms of Government need to emphasize, promote and sustain the idea of mutual respect, noble virtues and tolerance;

4.5 The proceedings of the Retreat brought out the preponderance of empowerment programmes being handled by various MDAs, as a result of which a recommendation was proffered for the establishment of a Standing Inter-Ministerial Committee to coordinate and synchronize these programmes;

4.6 The importance of training and re-training was emphasized for the purpose of updating knowledge, expanding policy makers/implementers mental horizons with the aim of developing capacity and enhancement of productivity;

4.7 With deference to the universal trends in handling public finances, the need to depart from the conventional trends and practices of preparing budget has become obvious.  In view of this, the Retreat recognized the need to key into the emerging trend in view of its appeal, transparency and universalism;

4.8 While both classical and modern roles of Taxation as an instrument of regulating fiscal policy was acknowledged, however, in cognizance of environmental factors, emphasis on taxation was shifted to established enterprises, factories and corporate bodies in the State in order to lessen taxation burden on individuals;

4.9 The Retreat accepted in unison that the State should be up and doing in generating its data on all activities and not to be reliant on figures generated by extraneous bodies.  To this end, the Retreat acknowledged the effort of the State House of Assembly regarding the Bill on establishment of State Bureau of Statistics;

4.10 The Retreat noted the increasing complexity of running governmental affairs with inefficient time management as a major causative factor for stressful conditions to public servants.  It was resolved that conduct of routine exercise, strict adherence to annual leave calendar and observance of approved work hours should be encouraged;

4.11 The fundamental role of good leadership as a catalyst for mobilizing human and material resources of society was duly acknowledged by the Retreat.  A consensus was therefore reached on the need for all and sundry to rally round His Excellency, the Governor whose major traits of humility, compassion and fairness to all are common knowledge, for the rapid development of Katsina State.
 
5.0 CONCLUSION:

5.1 In conclusion, it was generally recognized that the REREAT was a huge success.  Participants were not only engaged but mentally aroused. The ideas generated, observations made and recommendations proffered will provide the fulcrum of raising the banner of Katsina State in the comity of States within the Nigerian Federation.  Katsina State Government therefore thanks all persons, groups and institutions that in one way or the other contributed to the success achieved.

Signed and issued at Kaduna on 27th of January, 2017

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Secretary to the Government of the State