Minister Williams Says New Way of Thinking Needed to Transform Public Sector

A new way of thinking and a shared set of core values are needed to transform the public sector, which will foster the creation of a world class public service with a reputation for excellence.

This was stated by Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for the Public Service, Senator the Hon. Arthur Williams, at a Public Sector Consultation in St. James on October 11.

“If we do this effectively, we would not only become an employer of choice, but we would also have a significant impact on the confidence of the Jamaican public, and potential investors locally and abroad,” the Minister argued.

Senator Williams emphasised that all public sector workers should familiarise themselves with the Master Rationalisation Plan (MRP) for the sector, which speaks to an efficient and cost effective delivery of services.

The Minister cited some of the proposals in the MRP, including the merging of some 21 entities, privatisation of 13 agencies, outsourcing the services of 10 entities and the abolition of seven public sector agencies.

Senator Williams said there were previous attempts at public sector reform, which might not have been completely successful, thus fuelling doubts about what will be achieved from the present efforts.

“I want to assure you that the process is a necessary one in this present era.  Governments worldwide have been grappling with the task of devising strategies to make their public sectors more efficient,” the Minister said.

“Some of the strategies include either cutting services to the public, or increasing revenue through higher taxes. However, those strategies alone cannot work, and in some instances may even be counter productive,” he added.

The Minister said members of the public expect greater accountability from public sector organisations, and are demanding better public services, and as such, an environment that fosters business growth, greater productivity and aligns well with vision 2030 Jamaica, must be created.

Vision 2030 Jamaica is the country’s first long-term national development plan, which aims at enabling Jamaica to achieve developed country status by 2030.  It is based on a comprehensive vision:  “Jamaica, the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business.”

The Minister pointed out that the implementation strategy is underway, which has been devised by the Public Sector Transformation Unit (PSTU).

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the PSTU, Patricia Sinclair McCalla, told JIS News that a series of consultations will take place in all parishes and will continue through the months of October and November.

“The consultations were instituted, so that we can get a sense of what is being considered by public officers, how do they see the transformation process impacting them personally, and how do they see themselves as contributors to transforming the public sector,” she explained.

Mrs. Sinclair noted that the consultations serve a dual purpose, in that they give the public sector workers an environment in which they can voice their opinions, while allowing the PSTU to be aware of the thoughts of the workers, so that their ideas can be integrated in the implementation process of the MRP.

Another consultation was also held in Trelawny on October 11, while two were held on October 12, in the parishes of Hanover and Westmoreland.