ASPHCDA BOSS MEETS WITH MOBILIZATION OFFICERS, URGES ON DELEGATION, COMMUNICATION

By Nnedinma Okeke

The Executive Secretary, Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA), Dr Obianuju Chinelo Okoye has on May 12, had an in-house meeting with representatives of Social Mobilization Officers (SMOs) from the Local Government Areas (LGAs). The meeting was held at ASPHCDA Office complex, Awka.

Dr Okoye noting that she was open to collaborations, admonished the Officers to also concentrate in their place of primary assignment, even while discharging their roles as Programme Officers. She emphasized on the importance of being present and available in their respective health facilities.

She cautioned them against always been absent from duties as a result of tending to official call/trainings at the State or LGA level. “Trainings are good, as they help strengthen capacity of the workforce, but sometimes delegate these calls/trainings to your subordinates. This will help build their capacity also, while ensuring of your availability at the PHCs.”

The ASPHCDA Boss urged for open/effective communication between the Programme Officers and other staff in their respective health facilities as it would ensure that the Officers are knowledgeable of happenings at their centres even in their absent. “This is also, to ensure services are fully operational and running in the PHC while you maybe at the State/LGA’s level tending to other official matters.

“I am here to work, I want us to work together, and for us to ensure productivity in the system I want us to fish out ghost workers/those who are always absent from work, so as to make way for those ready to work,” she said.

The Chairman of SMOs, Mrs Jane Okpala noted that there was need for an indicator to monitor activities of SMOs in the LGA. She explained that the SMOs conduct montly supervisions to health facilities where they carry out sensitization and give talks on health education, which inturn yields positive results.

“We do mobilization for PHC activities montly. Our challenge is that, we do not have sponsors especially for our montly or quarterly State level review meetings, where delibrations of our findings in the field would be discussed as a State, for its result/feedback to reflect back in the LGAs/Wards thereby inserting improvement in the system.”

Mrs Okpala who was also the SMO for Anaocha LGA, then, expressed gratitude to the Executive Secretary for her admonitions. She assured that they would put in their best to ensure optimal service delivery in their healthcare facilities.

UNICEF Social and Behavioural Change (SBC), Consultant, Mr Victor James noted that “though demand generation and social mobilization was difficult to measure, with good leadership, which the ES was sure to provide, a little more can be done to support the SMOs.”

He encouraged for the SMOs State level montly or quarterly review meetings as it would aid boost productivity.

According to the UNICEF SBC data was very important as it helps partners make informed and driven decisions. He urged the SMOs to always report actual data of findings in the field whilst noting that UNICEF remains committed to supporting the State, specially in its collaboration toward demand generation.

In attendance at the visit includes; SMO Onitsha North LGA- Mrs Augustina Nkwo, SMO Idemili South LGA- Mrs Chinyere Anagonye, SMO Oyi LGA- Mrs Ogochukwu Maduabum, SMO Awka South LGA- Mrs Ifeoma Igbojekwe and State Health Educator (SHE)- Mrs Uju Onwuegbuzina.

Nnedinma is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State

Ministryofinformation

Anambraisrising

Informationiskey

Solutionishere

Solurioncontinues

COMMUNICATION KEY TO SUCCESSFUL PROJECT EXECUTION, SAYS POWER COMMISSIONER

By Azuka Offor :

The Anambra State Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Mr Julius Chukwuemeka has emphasised the importance of communication in executing any governmental projects. Mr Chukwuemeka made this known when the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) Crew paid him a courtesy visit in his office at Awka .

He expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with ABS station, as part of Governor Soludo’s team, to keep Anambra residents informed about the governor’s accomplishments and future plans for their well-being.

The commissioner emphasized that Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) needs to enhance its outreach efforts to inform the public about Governor Soludo’s accomplishments. “Without effective communication, even the most impactful projects can be claimed by others as their own.”

Highlighting the governor’s achievements, Mr Chukwuemeka noted that the Ministry of Power and Water Resources has initiated the installation of solar-powered streetlights across the state, stressing
that the cost of operating the street lights using diesel, is much more than enough to construct few kilometers of roads. This helps in cutting cost of governance.

The commissioner emphasized that to achieve Governor Soludo’s vision of transforming Anambra into a livable and prosperous megacity, the ministry is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating global warming’s effects through the installation of solar power systems in all water projects across the state, making renewable energy the primary power source.

According to him, the ministry follows the ISE principle for executing government developmental projects. ISE stands for Impact, Sustainability, and Eco-friendliness, ensuring that projects benefit the people, promote sustainability, and minimize environmental harm.

He expressed his satisfaction that Anambra State is now leading in solar street lights as individuals, markets and other states are emulating the state.

On his part, the Managing Director of A.B.S, Mr Chris Molokwu thanked the Solution Governor for his numerous achievements in ABS especially the water supply project through the ministry. He commended the commissioner and permanent secretary for their efforts in transforming the ministry through solar energy.

He expressed the station’s readiness to partner with the ministry to keep residents informed about the state government’s accomplishments through their platforms.

Mr. Molokwu seized the opportunity to outline the organization’s needs, which include installing solar systems at the MD’s office and other ABS offices as well as upgrading and rehabilitating the power system at their Enugwu Ukwu transmission station and a generator set for backup power supply.

Those present at the visit included the Permanent Secretary, Sir Victor Ezekwo, the Director of News, Mrs Judy Jeff Nwabueze, Director of Commercial Services, Mrs Uju Ifediba, the News Editors, Mr Abuchi Nwozo and Mrs Ngozi Obileri.