By P, KNA
The Chief Engineer/Director in charge of Irrigation and Drainage at the State Department for Irrigation, Eng. Bernard Onyango, has called for building of synergies among various Directorates and teams within the State Department to boost service delivery.
Speaking during a consultative meeting called to foster teamwork and rapport between Engineers and Public Communication Officers deployed at the State Department Wednesday, Eng. Onyango said the creation of harmonious relationships will enhance shared values; accelerate the completion of earmarked irrigation programmes and at the same time lead to enhanced communication of the State Department’s achievements.
The Chief Engineer emphasised the need for timely information sharing, improved collaboration and alignment in setting project communication goals.
Eng. Onyango observed that even though the State Department has implemented various projects that have significantly improved the lives of Kenyans, public awareness remains low.
He therefore called for effective communication of programme impacts and achievements of projects being undertaken by the State Department as a key accountability tool of the use of public resources.
Eng. Onyango thus urged the Engineers to not only fast track the completion of ongoing irrigation projects, but also partner with the relevant communication team to highlight and tell the impact of the irrigation story and the real-world effects on the lives of wananchi.
On her part, the Head of the Public Communication Unit at the State Department, Peninah Kihika, echoed similar sentiments and urged all their staff to act as brand ambassadors and to uphold the highest standards of decorum, while representing the office.
Kihika informed the team that the State Department was in the final stages of developing a five-year Communication Strategy that will guide all communication issues at the organization, spelling out the various roles of the different players.
She disclosed that the upcoming Communication Strategy has identified a number of gaps within the State Department including inadequate internal communication and limited farmer focused content, which the communication team will seek to address through a more collaborative and consultative approach.
The meeting resolved that monthly project reports must be comprehensive, fully updated and supported with accurate and appropriate data to ensure effective reporting and communication.
It was further agreed that the reports should also provide detailed accounts of progress achieved, challenges encountered, while giving recommendations for improvement.