GOVERNANCE is best judged by the real, everyday difference it makes in people’s lives, and perhaps nowhere is this more visible than in the quality of public services. It is against this backdrop that the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori took a decisive step, breathing new life into SERVICOM and entrusting its leadership to his Senior Policy Adviser, Rt. Hon. Funkekeme Solomon.
At its heart, SERVICOM gives citizens the power to demand the quality of services promised in the Service Charters of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). It informs the public about their rights, the standards they should expect, and the channels available to seek redress when those standards are not met. More than just a government slogan, SERVICOM is a framework designed to fight service failure and ensure that residents receive what they are rightfully entitled to from public institutions.
Launched in 2004 as Service Compact With All Nigerians, SERVICOM was a Federal Government initiative to close the gap between public expectations and actual service delivery. In 2009, the then-Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan administration domesticated the initiative, with a clear mandate to promote efficiency, transparency, and promptness in public service. Sadly, the initiative later lost steam in the state.
Governor Oborevwori wasted no time addressing this. Disturbed by the gradual decline in service standards, he reactivated SERVICOM, urging civil servants to embrace a “new normal” in their approach to work. Consequently, under Rt. Hon. Solomon’s stewardship, the renewed SERVICOM has embarked on a far-reaching sensitisation tour across more than 100 MDAs, aligning public officers with the governor’s MORE Agenda: Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security.
The results are beginning to manifest. Across Delta’s 25 local government councils and MDAs, monitoring and evaluation have improved, regular strategic meetings with nodal officers are now the norm, and targeted training is equipping public servants to do their jobs better. Governor Oborevwori’s decision to place service delivery alongside infrastructure development is paying off, strengthening investor confidence and rebuilding public trust.
If sustained, the revival of SERVICOM could restore dignity and discipline to public offices long plagued by inefficiency and complacency, as citizens would once again feel confident using public facilities as hospitals, schools, libraries, or parks, because they can expect real value for their engagement.
But history offers a warning. SERVICOM’s earlier collapse in Delta State is a reminder that momentum can be lost if the commitment fades. This time, nodal officers and SERVICOM personnel must hold the line, staying true to the service charter and tackling manpower shortages in critical areas like health. Accountability should remain non-negotiable. Officers who fail in their duties, whether high-ranking or junior, must face the consequences without protection from political, ethnic, or religious bias.
Equally, stronger collaboration is essential. SERVICOM’s mandate will stand firmer if it works hand-in-hand with the Office of the Head of Service, the Civil Service Commission (CSC), the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), local government chairmen, and heads of extra-ministerial departments. Together, they can embed the culture of service delivery at the core of governance and bring the MORE Agenda closer to reality.
Governor Oborevwori’s decision to revive SERVICOM is more than just a policy tweak. It is a declaration of intent. And with Rt. Hon. Funkekeme Solomon’s proven track record as a result-driven leader, there is every reason to believe that this “goal” can and will be scored. What matters now is ensuring that the whistle never blows on this renewed momentum.
