…and this could motivate the officials
THE rotation of Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) overseers is being seen by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development as a ‘management tool’, if used positively, and one that can serve as a means of motivation to the officers. Minister with that portfolio, Ganga Persaud, and Junior Minister, Norman Whittaker, along with Permanent Secretary, Collin Croal, yesterday hosted a news conference at the ministry on Fort Street, Kingston.
“We feel that if an officer is placed in the same situation to operate over a prolonged period, that certain joys which are derived within the work environment, based on challenges, new situations, and new scenarios, will be lost to that individual.
“So basically, [rotation could enhance the] effectiveness and efficiency in executing the job descriptions. We see rotation as widening the focus, geographic knowledge, and otherwise of employees in each new environment. There are other categories of officers that we will seek to rotate so that we can provide that motivational pull,” Minister Persaud said.
The ministry, being conscious of public opinion and views, sought the guidance of Attorney General Anil Nandlall with regard to an interpretation of the law, and was assured that Minister Persaud acted within the legal framework when he shifted overseers.
Hence, the ministry is hoping to have the rotation movement concluded as soon as possible, and is expecting “full compliance” as soon as the necessary record keeping would have been completed.
Minister Persaud explained that because some overseers are still in the process of handing over and balancing records, there has been a delay in the completion of the rotation cycle.
“It is regrettable that while overseers were notified beforehand, some did not take the proactive approach to do the necessary record keeping in time, so that the movement could have been smooth, across the board.”
No overseer will receive fewer benefits than he or she would have been receiving prior to the rotation. “It is all part of the ministry’s plan to rotate key and critical officers, in the ministry’s judgement,” Minister Persaud said.
Meanwhile, commenting on a letter he received from Chairman of Region 4 (Demerara/Mahaica), Clement Corlette, last Tuesday, requesting a meeting to discuss the rotation issue, Minister Persaud noted that there was no need for discussion, based on the advice received from the Attorney General.
“The bone of contention was the minister’s authority, and I don’t think there was anything to discuss on that issue based on the advice we got.”
Persaud said he was unable to convene the meeting because of his tight schedule which saw him meeting with Cabinet last Tuesday, and engaging in the ministry’s open day yesterday.
Opposition Leader, David Granger had recently written to President Donald Ramotar seeking to have the rotation exercise halted.