By Femi Esan
No government can function in isolation; it needs to communicate regularly with its citizens. Effective communication is crucial for any government to succeed, and poor communication can lead to widespread dissatisfaction with governance.
Oftentimes, government embarks on developmental projects but fails to engage citizens to know what their pressing needs are. Citizens need to be informed about the activities and programs of government, and government needs to listen to the needs, concerns, and feedback of its citizens.
Without clear and regular communication, citizens may be left in the dark about government’s actions, which can lead to confusion, frustration, and distrust among the population. These among other factors influenced Governor Oyebanji’s decision to set up a Community Communications office, the first of its kind in the history of the State.
The office, which is headed by a seasoned communication expert, Mrs. Mary Oso-omotoso, is saddled with the primary goal of fostering better communication and engagement between the state government and its citizens.
This office is responsible for creating multimedia platforms through which citizens can give feedback, share ideas, and file complaints about issues affecting their communities. It is also tasked with keeping citizens up-to-date on latest government developments and accomplishments with the aim of instilling a sense of transparency and accountability in government.
Mr. Governor wishes to ensure that citizens are informed about decision-making and have a say in policy formulation through their feedback. Through the office, citizens can easily engage with their representatives at all levels of government, thereby ensuring that every citizen has a voice.
Furthermore, with the establishment of the office, the government has been able to put smiles on many people’s faces, as well as obtain public feedback on various policies and programmes via regular surveys and consultations. This feedback has aided the government in making better decisions that are more responsive to the needs of the people, including the distribution of cash to assist as many people as possible with critical financial assistance, the employment of sign language interpreters in strategic Government offices and special schools for people living with hearing impairments in the state, approval of roads repair, restoration of power to some communities, approval of quarterly health workshops for people living with disabilities in the state, among others.
Finally, the creation of the Community Communications office demonstrates the BAO-led government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement. The current government believes that effective communication and engagement are critical components of good governance, and it is committed to prioritizing them in its effort to provide quality service delivery to the good people of Ekiti State.
Femi Esan is a Journalist and PR Expert. You can reach him via femwizzy123@gmail.com
