For a professional, neutral and politically impartial public service in the national interest

Dec 08, 2018 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

It is reassuring to read reports on the statement by Minister Joseph Harmon that Government wants to build and develop a Public Service of integrity, politically neutral and impartial. The roadmap for such a Public Service is embodied in the Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Public Service. This Commission which was under the Chairmanship of Professor Harold Lutchman, presented its Report to His Excellency President David Granger on 11 May 2016.
The report was subsequently presented by Government to the National Assembly, and was debated. So, the road map, albeit unduly delayed in implementation, is in the hands of Minister Harmon, in the Department of the Public Service, and in the Ministry of the Presidency. Time for action! Please Minister Harmon and the APNU- AFC Government act now. Such a Public Service will contribute significantly to national cohesion.
The Commission Inquiry into the Public Service recommended the enactment of a Public Service Law with related Regulations for effective public management and administration of the Public Service to insulate the Public Service from irregular political influences and other external pressures.
This is the first of the 89 recommendations of the Commission, made after a review of the earlier inquiries and studies into the Public Service, and consideration of the views of many who testified before this Commission. They all called for the Public Service to be impartial, neutral, professional, non-partisan, non-political, serving the public interest in keeping with the rule of law – the Constitution and other laws of the land, International Treaties and Conventions within the frame work of Constitutional fundamental rights. These principles are in line with Article 38G of the Constitution states that:
“(1) The Integrity of the public service is guaranteed. No public officer shall be required to execute or condone irregular acts on the basis of higher orders.
(2) The freedom of every public officer to perform his or her duties and fulfill his or her responsibilities is protected.
(3) No public officer shall be subject to sanctions of any kind without due process.
(4) In the discharge of his or her duties, a public officer shall execute the lawful policies of the government.”
The Report referred to the late President Forbes Burnham’s address on the theme “The Civil Service in an Independent Guyana,” an extract of which was put a PSC Circular No. 46 of 1966 and was sent to all public servants in November 1966. This Circular was referred to and appended to the Collins Commission Report of 1969. The Circular states in part:
“… Governments, and their Ministers, come and go at the will of the electorate, but under the present system there needs to continue in being an experienced civil service which can carry on the routine of administration and constitute the skilled instrument for implementing the policy of the Government of the day. To bring appointments to public office under the aegis of ministers would create the danger of such appointments being subject to political considerations, with serious disruption of the administration with each change of the elected Government. The Constitution seeks therefore to ensure that a newly appointed Government finds at its disposal an efficient, impartial and experienced permanent staff, owing particular allegiance to neither the outgoing nor the incoming administration, and imbued solely with the aim of using its abilities in the service of the Government…”
The Harold Lutchman Commission Inquiry into the Public Service 2016, affirmed the validity and relevance of these principles which must be developed and promoted, given the reality of our social and political context. It is in the national interest to establish a sustainable and professional Public Service for the public good.

Yours faithfully,
Joshua Singh

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