BPSR tasks NDE on strategies to address unemployment challenges
By Bridget Ikyado
The Director-General, Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Dr Dasuki Arabi has advised the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to be innovative in addressing the unemployment challenges in Nigeria.
Arabi gave the advice on Thursday in Abuja while presenting the Report of the BPSR Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) which was deployed in NDE.
He said that the assessment was to highlight the directorate’s strengths in the form of good practice and areas where gaps exists.
He added that it was also to provide opportunities for innovations where good practice were not met, and encourage the NDE to improve and embrace best global standard.
Arabi said that the key assessment tools deployed by the Bureau included determining current strengths and weaknesses, and priority areas for planning to address gaps and opportunities for improvement.
The BPSR boss said strengthening the operations of the NDE would be in line with the agenda of President Bola Tinubu to tackle the monstrous level of unemployment confronting the nation.
He said as an agency empowered to design and implement programmes to combat unemployment in the country, it is imperative for it to be intentionally innovative to address the challenge.
“I would like to state that this engagement is not designed to be a one off activity.
“The Bureau would return in due course to ascertain that all the findings and recommendations in the assessments have been faithfully implemented.
“We are willing to collaborate with NDE to sustain its achievements, support areas where work is in progress and chart a course for improvement where performance is weak.”
Arabi said that though at the end of the assessment NDE’s performance consistently met expectations in all essential areas of responsibility, there are still gaps which must be bridged.
He said in bridging the gaps, NDE should utilise emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Cloud computing and Blockchain technologies.
These, he said, would help it to develop dynamic and innovative strategies to stimulate entrepreneurship and wealth creation among Nigerians.
Others, he said, include the necessity to develop and operationalise a strategic plan, as well as specific Anti-corruption policy based on existing national anti-corruption and whistle blower policies.
According to him, the NDE also needs to employ effective communication strategy to educate stakeholders on its vision, mission, and strategic objectives.
“NDE should develop a strategy for mobilising resources from development partners to support achievement of strategic objectives.”
This, he added, should include long-term Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
He added that the organisation must at all times comply with Government financial and accounting policies.
“Develop Risk Assessment Guide and operationalize an Asset Management and Maintenance Plan to support
appropriate management of its buildings and infrastructure.
“NDE should key into the e-Procurement policy of the government and ICT policy that mirrors the provisions in the Nigeria e-government Master Plan,” he added.
“It should also develop Key Performance Indicators to be used at multiple levels to evaluate NDE success at reaching targets and achieving key business objectives.”
In his response, Malam Nuhu Fikpo, Director-General NDE, commended the Bureau for it’s reforms initiatives to enhance public service delivery.
He urged the BPSR to intervene in areas of overlapping responsibilities between the NDE and Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The D-G thanked the Bureau for the assessment and advices, and pledged to implement the recommendations, including the training and retraining of staff for better services.
Fikpo also solicited the support of the BPSR in linking the NDE with development partners.
