Delta Commissioners Uneasy With Gov’s Performance Bond

Commissioners in Delta State are said to be on their toes over the introduction and signing of a performance bond with the state governor.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had declared that each commissioner would sign the bond with his administration  at the 2023 executive council retreat at Asaba.

The governor said the bond which would contain Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) would also come with a consequence by holding Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) accountable.

He said the retreat with the Theme: “Delivering the M.O.R.E Agenda for Advancing Delta: Strategies Enablers” was necessary to ensure that Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of government align their programmes and activities with the administration’s policy focus.

“Towards this end, the commissioners are expected to sign a performance bond at the end of this retreat. This is not meant to scare anybody. It is to serve as a motivation to stay focused on the deliverables that have been established,” he said.

But the commissioners are said to be scared of the bond and are not very sure of the motivational tonic for them to stay focused given by the governor.

Governor Oborevwori said; “These key performance indicators will enable us to measure our progress as an administration based on established timelines and benchmarks for success.

“This will in turn, enable efficiency of government, enhance performance, hold the MDAs accountable, and promote judicious utilization of resources.

“For us to achieve our stated goals, MDAs must constantly monitor the progress of projects under their jurisdiction and formulate a mechanism for feedback and evaluation.

But one of the commissioners who does not want his name mentioned said it might be a target for those of them who were nominated or seen to be imposed by former governors and the party.

“Some of us came through the party and not from the incumbent governor. It may be a way to sign and make our exit easy. Most of the governor’s men have not been given appointments while some have been commissioner twice or thrice,” he said. 

Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, in his keynote speech, said the pandemic of three years ago had driven global inflation to an all time high.