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| Image credit to Adobe Stock |
It is important to note the unorthodox power dynamics currently prevalent in the Lagos State civil service hierarchy.
Traditionally, a ministry's Commissioner and Permanent Secretary hold higher positions than its agency's general Manager. However, in the current context, the General Manager of the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) holds a higher position than the PS and Commissioner.
This arrogated position by the GM over the Permanent Secretary and Commissioner is not necessarily in theory. Still, the General Manager of the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) is TPL Kehinde Oshinaike.
Since the appointment of the new commissioner, Dr Oluyinka Olumide, who is an engineer by profession and must seek the opinion of the GM, the highest-ranking town planner in the state, before making planning decisions, the GM has taken advantage of this situation to become the de facto commander in the ministry practically.
It is crucial to reiterate that the General Manager is not authorized to make decisions for the ministry without consulting the PS and the Commissioner.
However, he is currently making unilateral decisions on behalf of the ministry. The proper procedure dictates that files must pass through his office, the PS, and the Commissioner before decisions are made. Unfortunately, this process is no longer being followed.
He makes decisions without even informing them. After all, he believes that the PS and the Commissioner are engineers who have no idea what planning is about.
The proper procedure would have been to send the files up and then give his educated professional judgement to them, leaving it to their superiors to make the decision.
Unfortunately, the PS and Commissioner defer to him, most likely because they do not want to make costly mistakes that could cost them their jobs. You only need to be in a forum where all three are present to see who is in charge.
He believes that he has made much money since becoming GM and is significantly more prosperous than the commissioner recently appointed in November 2023, so he cannot bow before him.
Of course, a GM who does not respect a commissioner cannot be expected to consider the Permanent Secretary.
The GM, promoted above several senior directors in the ministry, was supposed to behave more appropriately and not ride over everyone without caring. It is hoped that the Super GM of Lagos will remember that he will not be GM indefinitely.
By:
Majekobaje
Isale Eko
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