Governance today is used in many different senses; as a term to describe regime types, the nature and style of a political system and issues encompassing political authority channels and processes, institutional and structural arrangements, decision making processes, the flow of information, and the nature of relationship between the state and the society. To some others, governance refers to the manner in which power is exercised in the management of a country’s economic and social resources for development. In another breath, the concept can be seen as the use of political authority and exercise of control over a society and the management of resources. This includes meditational and structural arrangements, decision making processes, policy formulation, and implementation capacity, development of personnel, information flows and the nature and style of leadership within a political system.
Good governance involves a normative judgment which indicates a proffered relation that should ideally govern relationships between state and society and between government and a people. One of the six fundamental elements of good governance is transparency in government decision-making, procedures, processes, investment decision, contracts, procurement, and appointments. The essence of this transparency is to prevent corruption and enhance economic efficiency and effectiveness.
The 2014 senior staff promotion exercise conducted by the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) is symbolic because of the way and manner the whole exercise was carried out. The conduct in its entirety depicts transparency in procedures, equity and social justices thereby blocking corruption, despotism and manipulations.
The process started with invitation of resource persons who met with senior staff committee on 22nd December 2014 at the Agency’s conference room. The team include accomplished professional from all cadres that were to participate in the promotion exercise.
They were Civil Engineers, Electrical, Mechanical, Administration, Finance and Accounts, Information, Building and Procurement. Others were legal, Research and ICT.
Prior to the invitation of Resource persons, syllabus for the 2014 senior staff promotion Examination designed by the Administration and Human Resources Department was released asking candidates to acquit themselves with the document.
Aspect of the syllabus Included Civil Service Questions, General knowledge and Professional Questions. In addition to these, candidates going to Grade 15 and 16 were to attend oral interviews which form 10% of the interview scores. As for allocation of Scores for officer on GL 06-14; civil service Questions carries 30marks, General Knowledge-10 marks, Professional Questions-30marks, APER Scores 20marks and Seniority-10marks. The Allocation of scores for officers on GL 15 is as follows Civil Service Questions-30marks, General knowledge-10marks, Professional Questions-20 marks, APER Scores-20marks, Senionty-10marks and Oral Interview-10marks.
The examination was conducted on 23rd December 2014 while marking took place on 11th February 2014.
In our aspirations for good governance, the conduct of FERMA is quite worthy of emulation by all Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDA). Good governance implies efficient and effective public administration, rational policies and sound management of all resources. It calls for the ability of a state to anticipate challenges to its well being, provide core service to its people and then augment these services, act as a catalyst of change and guide the various good governance implies ruling on the basis of equity and social justice and an end to corruption, nepotism and political manipulation of public institutions. It is only when citizens have the belief that their government operates on their behalf in an open and accountable manner, will government be able to obtain their willing cooperation in mobilizing resources for development. In the same manner good governance is critical to creating and sustaining an environment which fosters strong and equitable development and it is an essential complement to sound economic policies. All these can thrive in the presence of transparency in all government activities. Kudos to FERMA for blazing the trail.
Bamidele, Snr Assistant National Secretary of NUJ can be reached on 08033237973 and liftmeahead@yahoo.com.
