The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, has urged heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to prioritize the creation of a healthy working environment for their staff in order to enhance service delivery.
This call was made during the opening of a Three-Day Training Programme for Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Desk in Abuja, with the theme “Fostering a Safe, Conducive, and Healthy Work Environment for Civil Servants.”
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Service Welfare Office, Alhaji Mahmud Kambari, Dr. Yemi-Esan emphasized that a healthy workforce is essential for increased productivity in any organization. The federal government, through the Head of the Civil Service, is committed to promoting occupational safety and health measures to ensure the well-being of civil servants.
By prioritizing a safe and healthy work environment, MDAs can create a conducive atmosphere that enables civil servants to perform their duties effectively. This focus on occupational safety and health will not only enhance service delivery but also contribute to the overall productivity and success of the public sector.
Dr Folashade noted that, “The National Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Policy approved by the Federal Executive Council, mandated the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) to ensure the provision of safe, conducive and healthy work environment and promote international best practices in OSH for workers in all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of Government.
“In line with this mandate, the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation on July 6, 2022 issued a circular for the Establishment of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Desk in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of Government instructing all MDAs to establish or resuscitate an OSH Desk to be manned by staff who will be trained to discharge the responsibilities of coordinating the implementation of OSH activities in the MDAs.
“Premised on this and with a renewed drive towards the attainment of the objectives of pillar 6 of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021-2025 (FCSSIP25), which is to enhance the value proposition for the Civil Servants, a three-day training programme was proposed and approved by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. The pillar has a sub-initiative to improve the health and safety of Civil Servants,” Dr Folashade emphasized.
The training program aims to equip the OSH Desk with the necessary knowledge and skills to develop and implement strategies for maintaining a safe and healthy work environment. It underscores the government’s commitment to the welfare of civil servants and its determination to create a conducive atmosphere that promotes their well-being.
By fostering a safe, conducive, and healthy work environment, the federal government aims to enhance the working conditions of civil servants and ensure their overall job satisfaction and effectiveness in serving the nation.
