Livestock industry and development specialist, Michael Welch, is of the view that customer-driven type approach is needed to improve the level of performance in the Public Service Sector.Addressing the final sitting of the Commission of Inquiry, (COI) into the affairs of the Public Service last Thursday, Welch outlined seven key areas that he believes are relevant to restoring dignity, pride and respect to civil workers.The witness told Commissioners Harold Lutchman, Sandra Jones and Samuel Goolsaran that in order for the Public Service sector to function effectively it must be devoid of political interference, have strong and responsive oversight (Acts and regulations) system in place, protect and encourage whistle blower via legislation to safeguard persons and the system, have flexible retirement age, better system for remuneration,Cheap Jerseys, conduct regular needs assessment and put succession plans in place, emphasize on the training of Public Servants (local and overseas) and have strong disciplinary code of conduct and sanction transgressors.Welch, who has in excess of 30 years of experience working in the Public Service, under the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) an agency linked to the Ministry of Agriculture, told commissioners that a functional public sector system is one that would see the beneficiaries satisfied with the type of service and product that is delivered.He said that most times, employees within the sector are unaware of the guiding principles of organizations in which they are employed. The witness said that this is nothing short of a travesty.Welch said, “We need to focus on the guiding principle that many of these types of organisations in terms of their visions, mission, goals in terms of their strategic objectives and most importantly their core values.”While he noted that training of workers on every spectrum of the scale is important, Welch particularly advocated for the more top level/ managerial positions and opportunities to be given to females in the Public Service.Welch asserted the need for breaking the glass ceiling in this regard.“The pink quota speaks the number of women who can accede to these top positions. Within my Ministry and these semi-autonomous agencies I think just about five to seven per cent of CEOs and top level managers are women.“I think something ought to be done in terms of (promoting) gender equity to the position available,” he said.Needs assessment and success planning are essentially to having smooth transition processes in the sector.“For the young staff coming in to the environment, there must be a proper orientation package in place so that those persons will have the requisite exposure to what the organization requires of them and this will give them the level of confidence required in the performance of their duties,” he addedOverseas and local training, Welch said must be an equal opportunity for all workers and a system of adequate selection is needed in order to ensure that this is done.The COI was established to determine measures to improve the efficiency of the public service, to review the methodology used in the classification and recruitment of public servants.The inquiry is also slated to conduct a detailed examination of how the salaries and wages of public servants are determined and allocated; review the age of public servant retirement and make recommendations in this regard.Following his appointment to office, President David Granger had stressed the need for a more efficient and satisfactory public service.According to President Granger, public servants must possess expert knowledge and a 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.The COI was established as part of a plan to support President Granger’s vision for a modern public service and the establishment of a Public Service Staff College.
