Osita Chidoka
Yesterday, at the invitation of Governor Soludo, I was at Awka to share experiences with the newly constituted Anambra State Executive Council. I spoke about Measuring Time and Performance: The FRSC Experience. It was a very engaging conversation.
First, the government is starting on the right footing by spending time to pause and think. From my experience in government, the design stage is the most tasking and least appreciated step in building a winning team and delivering public goods.
I shared my basic governance philosophy called M²I, Measure, Monitor, Improve. This philosophy is underpinned by my adaptation of a saying that I do not know the original author. “In God, we trust; all others must provide evidence/data.”
The new government must be data-driven. Gov. Soludo’s pedigree makes it easy. Relentless measurement, ruthless monitoring and continuous improvement will deliver value.
Some tidbits: civil servants may act stupidly, but they are not stupid. There is a reason why they act so.
Four years is equals 48 months equals 208 weeks equals 1460 days. When it takes you four months to decide on a course of action, 10% of your time is irretrievably gone forever.
Political appointees have four years civil servants have 35 years, so there is a misalignment of time frames. Manage it.
Any already awarded contract is an excellent gift to any political office holder. Do not cancel if there is no serious issue, time to procure projects eat deeply into your 48 months. Focus on commissioning projects, not procurement.
I could feel the excitement in the cabinet. The Governor sat through the program and was intently engaged.
Indeed the solution is in execution, and the cabinet appears primed for prime time.
