Finance Minister Credits Civil Servants for Jamaica’s Ranking

Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips, has credited the efficient service of civil servants for Jamaica achieving the status of being among the top 10 most improved economies worldwide.

The Minister said the civil service is at the forefront of the Government’s consideration, as investments facilitated through the work of this group have led to the improvement of the economy.

Dr. Phillips was speaking at the Jamaica Civil Service Long Service Awards ceremony, held at King’s House on November 18.

Some 300 public sector workers from the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) were recognised for having given over 20 years of service to the country.

“If we are to continue to build on the foundations that have been established, it will require that we continue to improve the quality of service that is provided through the public sector,” he said, highlighting his commitment to the Public Sector Transformation process.

He further expressed confidence in the capability of the public sector to achieve world class efficiency, given the appropriate tools and systems.

Among the dignitaries in attendance at the awards ceremony were: Governor- General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen; Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller; Cabinet Secretary and Head of  the Public Service, Ambassador  Douglas Saunders; Minister of Health, Hon. Horace Dalley; and Edmund Bartlett, representing the Leader of the Opposition.

Senior Director in the Planning and Development Division of the Ministry of Education, Barbara Allen, copped the top award to be named Civil Servant of the Year.

Ms. Allen, who has been working in the public sector for over 30 years, in an interview with JIS News, said she feels blessed and honoured that her years of service have been recognised by her colleagues.

Meanwhile, the Finance Minister commended the awardees for their years of sterling contribution to Jamaica’s civil service.

Dr. Phillips said the long service awardees have, over the years, demonstrated that they have the patriotic commitment and the sense of duty above self to make a sound contribution to the advancement of the country.

“They, I think, provide an example of the type of person who diligently and relentlessly pursues quality public service for sustainable development of Jamaica,” he  said.

The ceremony was a part of activities to mark this year’s Civil Service Week from November 15 to 20, under the theme: ‘Diligently and Relentlessly Pursuing Quality Public Service for Sustainable Development’.