Despite the government’s promises of public sector reform, the 2006/07 budget suggests that it has no plan or intention to move ahead on the issue, former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham charged in the House of Assembly.
“This government came to office with loud promises of public sector reform. I am not convinced that they understood what the term means, and I certainly see no signs of positive movement in that regard. “The public service, key to the realisation of public sector reform, is itself in urgent need of additional reforms to that carried out by the Free National Movement (FNM), and has been left in limbo by this government,” Mr Ingraham said, during his contribution to the budget debate.
House members passed the budget, the last before the next general elections late Wednesday night. On Thursday, the budget was read for the first time in the Upper Chamber.
According to Mr Ingraham, in 2008, an FNM-government would undertake a general review of the public sector salaries, put resources where they are required, design and implement programmes so that public officers can be trained to meet the changing needs of the public service in the 21st century, and complete the update and modernisation of General Orders.
Too, he said an FNM administration would develop an organisation and management unit in the Department of Public Service, undertake a manpower audit of the public service (which will, among other initiatives, inform the design of a system capable of recognising and rewarding skilled but un-certificated persons whose service is essential to public administration) and formally implement recommendations for the introduction of flexi-hours in the public service, with a view to assisting working parents and also contributing to the relief of traffic congestion during peak hours. According to Mr Ingraham, before losing the government, the FNM effected reforms in the sector by simplifying processes and procedures concerning shop, liquor and restaurant licence applications and renewals; application for and renewal of travel documents; grant and renewal of car and drivers’ licences and applications for work permits, residency and citizenship certificates.
“That was prior to 2002. Since then, little or no work has been done to increase efficiencies in the delivery of services to the public,” Mr Ingraham claimed.
Local Government was implemented in the Family Islands in 1996. It was designed to complement the Central Government. It is a system whereby local communities participate in the decision-making with regard to those matters which impact them directly.
By: KEVA LIGHTBOURNE, Nassau Guardian Senior Reporter
