Isoko South Council Chairman Vows Full Implementation of SERVICOM, Warns Against Friday Absenteeism
OLEH/Nigeria: Chairman of Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, Hon. Friday Ovoke Warri, has pledged unwavering commitment to the full implementation of the Service Compact with All Nigerians (SERVICOM) initiative within the council, stressing the need for civil servants to uphold professionalism, punctuality, and consistent presence at their duty posts, regardless of location.
Warri issued the charge on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by the Senior Policy Adviser to the Governor, Rt. Hon. Funkekeme Solomon, who led a team from SERVICOM to the council secretariat in Oleh.
He expressed concern over the growing trend of absenteeism among civil servants, particularly on Fridays, describing it as unacceptable and detrimental to public service delivery. According to him, “Some workers have turned every last working day of the week into a public holiday, yet they expect to enjoy the full benefits of government employment. That culture must stop.”
The council boss thanked Solomon and the SERVICOM team for engaging with the staff and management of the council, describing the visit as timely and critical to instilling a culture of accountability and excellence in public service.
Warri said his administration was ready to partner with SERVICOM and all relevant stakeholders to ensure the success of the initiative, which he said would enhance productivity and contribute meaningfully to the realisation of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda.
“SERVICOM, from what I understand, is about delivering excellent service to our people. Leadership must be by example. If I don’t come to work regularly, I cannot expect my staff to do so,” Warri stated. “Despite challenges, I have remained consistent. Unfortunately, in many rural areas like Ikpide-Irri, some teachers and staff are absent. During a visit, I met only one teacher – the headmistress. We need urgent reform.”
He further lamented how certain top civil servants frustrate the posting of staff to rural areas, a situation he said undermines service equity and development. He praised the Oborevwori administration for sustaining the new minimum wage at the local level, despite economic challenges.
In his remarks, the Senior Policy Adviser to the Governor, Rt. Hon. Funkekeme Solomon, said the re-introduction of SERVICOM in Delta State is a deliberate move by Governor Oborevwori to align all levels of government with the core principles of the MORE Agenda, particularly regarding effective service delivery.
“Every council chairman is a mini governor in his domain, and I must commend Chairman Warri for the excellent reports and visible service delivery efforts in Isoko South,” Solomon said.
He noted that the state government has established a whistleblowing mechanism to gather feedback on projects across Delta and encouraged local councils to replicate similar channels to improve citizen engagement.
“Service delivery is central to the MORE Agenda,” Solomon stressed. “We are here to reintroduce SERVICOM and ensure that every arm of local government administration embraces its core values.”
The visit concluded with renewed commitment from the council leadership to drive effective governance through responsiveness, transparency, and accountability at the grassroots.
