Big boost of $4.6 billion for PSMP

KINGSTON — Activities under the Public Sector Modernisation Programme (PSMP) II should be significantly enhanced this year through a $4.6 billion provision, set aside in the 2011/12 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives.

The project, being implemented by the Office of the Cabinet, aims to enable government Ministries, departments and agencies to develop and deliver high quality integrated public service programmes, which meet the needs of customers, as well as to strengthen results-based management in government.

It also proposes the alignment of Human Resource Management Strategies (HRMS) with the strategic direction of the modernisation programme; build customer service structure that facilitates continuous improvement in the delivery of service and accountability to the public; implement Performance Management and Appraisal System (PMAS) effectively in all Ministries, departments and agencies; and improve governance and accountability in the public sector.

The project, which began in April 2003, has had a number of extensions and is now scheduled to be completed in March 2012.

Anticipated targets for 2011/12 include: establishment of Food Safety One Stop Shop facilities; improve Building Development Approval Process; develop modernisation plans for the Jamaica Customs and the Inland Revenue Departments; continue the modernisation programme for the Ministry of Education, Regional Education entities and the National Inspectorate Agencies, Forestry Department, Fisheries Division, and the Cabinet Office; and implement Customer Service Monitoring System with common matrix in pilot entities; and continue the development of the Citizens Charter.

Other plans for this year include the development of a Corporate Governance and Accountability framework, as well as the implementation of a government-wide results based management framework.

Since inception, there have been several achievements, including: the implementation of a modernisation plan for the Ministry of National Security; the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) became the 10th executive agency in June 2007; development of modernistaion plans for the Ministry of Education and the Cabinet Office; as well as the drafting of executive agency regulations. 

The project is being funded by the government of Jamaica and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).                

By ATHALIAH REYNOLDS, JIS Reporter