Permanent Secretary makes preliminary recommendations for formation of Staff College

Dec 17, 2015 News

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Permanent Secretary of the Department of Public Service, Reginald Brotherson has made preliminary recommendations for the formation of the Public Service Staff College.

Brotherson was responding to questions, in a follow-up submission to the Commission of Inquiry, (COI) at the Ministry of the Presidency, Public Service Department, Waterloo Street, Georgetown Main Office, held on Tuesday.
During the discourse with Commissioners, Harold Lutchman, Sandra Jones and Samuel Goolsarran, the Permanent Secretary (PS) said that based on his observations; there is room for several aspects of staff training within the sector.
According to the witness, this training can be obtained locally or overseas through bilateral relations with the relevant countries.  Brotherson noted that the department must first identify the persons to undergo short or long term training.
He explained that in terms of accessing overseas training, this can be made available through submissions from friendly donor countries.
The PS also recommended that there be continuous interactions and consultations with stakeholders such as the Public Service Commission, (PSC).
He said that the engagements should be held at least twice annually. He added that in a professional public service, persons must strive to minimize conflict.
Speaking specifically about the period since his appointment as Permanent Secretary of the Department of Public Service, the witness told the commission that a team has been working assiduously to ensure, the working environment and conditions for staff has improved.
Brotherson was appointed Permanent Secretary of the department some five months ago.
Prior to his appointment, the PS said that he noticed that staff that were demotivated and under tremendous stress.
“The department managing the affairs of the Public Service was under stress,” the witness emphasized.
He said that following his appointment, the department had to undergo major restructuring. The Permanent Secretary told the COI that there were at least two truckloads of rubbish coming out the department.
According to him, since the staff was starved of resources and had a number of atrocities committed against them, it was his role to create an environment, where employees could function in their department of work and yield better results.
The Public Service Officer also pointed out that the direct control by political heads plagued the management of the sector resulting in chaos. He expressed optimism that trained independent management will be restored in every department, in the reformation process- which will allow for the type of guidance in the wider sector.
Commenting further on the interim progress of the Department, Brotherson told commissioners that there have been a number of quick fixes in to achieve some semblance of order in the agency, following his appointment, five months ago.
The PS said that since then, at least five senior staff members have been sent on overseas training and the junior employees were also given the opportunity to address issues related to their qualifications.
In answer to a question by Commissioner Sandra Jones, the witness disclosed that in the past five months, the department has completed the budget for 2015, managed its spending and prepared estimates for 2016.
The official also noted that within the short period, there were a number of audit reports to be answered, police investigations on aspects of financial irregularities and the issue of accounting for assets in the department.
He said that the department has also made preliminary preparations for the Public Service Staff College.
According to the witness this process requires consultations between the unions and other stakeholders.   Brotherson also pointed to the need for revamped and upgraded guidelines to govern the sector.
He told the commission that civil servants currently operate in accordance with rules outlined since 1987.
Principal Personnel Officer, Andrew Grant, also supported the recommendations of the PS. He noted that there should be continuous engagement and the consultations to improve the efficiency of the Public Service.
Chairman of the Commission, Harold Lutchman, also pointed out the need for follow up dialogue.
The COI was established as part of a plan to support President David Granger’s vision for a modern Public Service and the establishment of a Public Service Staff College.
Following his appointment to office, President Granger stressed the need for a more efficient and satisfactory sector.
According to President Granger, Public Servants must possess expert knowledge and high standard academic education. He expressed his intention to introduce a Public Service Staff College, in which persons entering the administrative branches of the Guyana Public Service are required to undergo training.
The President had promised, too, that this would ensure that persons serving the nation would be more equipped with the basics of Public Service delivery and a better understanding of how the Public Service is meant to operate.

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