A Standard and Modernization Committee has been set up and put in motion by the Anambra State government.

This is part of outcome of a Standard and Modernization Workshop organized by the State government, at the Agulu Lake Golden Tulip Hotel, aimed at ensuring strict compliance to standards by Government workers as well as the larger society.

Correspondent, Ejike Abana reports that the Committee is chaired by a Consultant to Anambra State government on Standards and Modernization, Mr Twinkle Oruwariye, while Mr Mike Ogbuekwe who is the Director General of Project Management and Monitoring Office of the Governor is serving as its Secretary.

Other members of the Committee include the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Primus Odili, Commissioner for Environment, Architect Mike Okonkwo, Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, Indidenous Artwork, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Sally Mbanefo, Commissioner for Women’s and Children’s Affairs, Lady Ndidi Mezue and two others.

Mr Oruwariye stressed that the major objective of the workshop is to change the mindset of government workers towards identifying, creating and maintaing standards, adding that the Committee has been mandated to ensure strict compliance and implementation of such standards, expressing optimism that State government will give the project it’s desired backing.

On how they intend to ensure that compliance to standards go beyond Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies to the larger society, the Secretary of the Committee, Mr Ogbuekwe pointed out that all government offices already have standards, saying that the Committee will compile a compendium of standards and transfer them to the teams that will do the enforcement work, as that way, the larger population of people living and working in Anambra State will be in the know of how they can maintain standards.

Mr Ogbuekwe stressed that the first point of call will be the enforcement of the monthly sanitation exercise where people are encouraged to stay home and clean their environment, as well as take dirts to designated disposal and collection points, noting that the same thing applies to Sanitary inspectors and others who will be engaged with renewed vigor and backed by the Standards committee, all geared towards a new and improved Anambra State.

The Head of Service, Barrister Harry Uduh said that as an outcome from the workshop, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies will create standards and modernization sub-committees, saying that names have already been selected and submitted to the policy making organ of government.

He stressing that complying to standards is not rocket science, as the mindset of individuals will lead them into ensuring that things that does not conform to standards are done away with the right steps.

Some participants who spoke to the ABS including the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Chief Ifeatu Obiokoye, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr James Eze, the Managing Director and the Chief Executive Officer of Anambra Broadcasting Service, Chief Uche Nworah as well as the Managing Director of Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, Venerable Amaechi Okwuosa, said that the workshop has provided them with a collective opportunity to re-emphasize the core values of the present administration, expressing optimism that back at their different offices, they will be able to sustain the same vision, strength of purpose and direction in tune with the vision of the Governor for an improved and healthier life.

The Commissioner for Basic Education, Professor Kate Omenugha took participants through a special session on the Anambra State Shared Values, while different paper presentations on Standards by the Chairman of the Governor’s Think Thank Committee, Mr Mac Atasie, among others featured at the workshop.

Apart from members of the State Executive Council and other top government functionaries, participants include Heads and officers in Ministries, Departments and Agencies, where they were introduced to acceptable standards in values, workplace ethics, cleanliness, service, building maintenance, among others.