The Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the Public Service was formally launched on Tuesday with some 30 statements already been sent in by Guyanese living here and abroad.
The inquiry panel identified by the government to spearhead the operation which will investigate the working conditions, wages, and other issues affecting public servants are: Professor Harold Lutchman who will serve as Chairman to the commission, Samuel Goolsarran and Sandra Jones, both of whom will serve as commissioners.
At a press conference held yesterday at the Ministry of the Presidency’s Public Service Department, Waterloo Street, Georgetown, it was revealed by secretary to the CoI, Geeta Chandan Edmond that over 30 statements and memoranda have been received by its secretariat. These statements, she said, were received from stakeholders in Guyana, the Unites States of America (USA), Canada and one from the United Kingdom (UK).
The role of the COI, according to the Chairman, is guided by a Terms of Reference (ToR) which stipulates that the COI is to inquire into, report on, and make recommendations on the role, functions, recruitment process, remuneration and conditions of service for public servants.
Though it is not written in stone, the life of the commission is expected to last for about five months, Lutchman said, adding that this is subject to change, given the nature of COIs. He explained that upon nearing conclusion, a new finding could have such an impact to alter recommendations which would have been under considerations, which would push the hearing back even further.
The public hearings, which are opened to the general public for oral presentations will be conducted at the Secretariat Building of the Public Service Ministry on Waterloo Street, Georgetown.
According to Lutchman, the aim is to have a professional public service which will serve as an engine for whatever Government is in power. “The success of a government is largely dependent on their ability to mobilise the public sector in the implementation of its policies” the Chairman said yesterday.
Noting that policy making is something that involves contributions from both politicians and public servants, he underscored the need for such exercise to fine tune what is happening in the public sector. He highlighted too, the fact that this CoI is, “not a wages and salary commission,” since this is not their 9the commissioners) main focus. Instead, they are guided by the TOR which mandates their operation.
Contributing too, was Goolsarran, who stated that the views of interested parties will be heard when the hearing begins shortly. He noted that for quality services to be provided by the Public Sector, public servants must be motivated and willing to work. But this, according to him, can only be achieved, if it is understood, how these public servants can be motivated.
Jones too, expressed similar sentiments, adding that the activity is one which is highly anticipated, given the amount of people it will impact.
Additionally, she explained that it is an opportunity to understand the plight of the working class and a forum to ask question, which will provide greater insight into the operations of this sector. Recommendations would then emanate from these findings which will in turn aid in further developing the sector.
Staff College
Meanwhile, with Public Service Staff College taking shape, President David Granger has committed to building a public service of professional men and women who are dedicated to serving under whichever administration is in power. The President in the first week of assuming office announced the need for a strong professional public service, noting that part of the professionalism will be instilled through training.
On August 28, the Ministry of the Presidency under which the Public Service Ministry falls, closed the application process which was opened to persons between ages 17-21. The successful applicants have been admitted to the Public Service Staff College where they will undergo a 6-month introduction/orientation and mandatory training which is geared at providing them with theoretical concepts and issues while placing emphasis on the delivery of content through participatory methods.
The focus is on the development and practical application of skills and stimulated active learning through case studies, simulation and group projects.
As part of the training, the successful applicants are introduced to the roles, functions and capabilities of ministries and government agencies and exercises. “All new entrances into public service will receive training before they take up their appointments. This is the basis of the first initiative. At the higher level of course, we want to see more career public servants so that when new ministers or political appointees enter their jobs at whatever level, there will be a cadre of trained public servant who could advice and guide, do research and provide information for them. So we expect during the course of the next 5 years, there will be a stronger and more professional public service than we have at present,” the President told the Guyana Chronicle and Stabroek News in a recent interview.
He reasoned that without an efficient public service, the vital agencies of the State will be unable to function well—not aviation, not public health, and not law enforcement. “So what I want to do is ensure that people are properly education and well trained before they enter the public service. Second, regardless of which political party is in office, I want to see the public service performing their functions efficiently, providing advice and information to their ministers and carry out their duties… I want to see an unbribable public service so that when a foreigner comes in, an investor comes in, he will see in the public servants, whether in or out of uniform as somebody who is committed to enforcing the laws of Guyana and serving the public.” President Granger was optimistic that in his first term, his administration will be able to re-professionalise the public service, and Guyanese, whether they go to the post offices or police stations, they will get service.