Public Sector Modernisation Programme Gets $335.5 Million Allocation

The Government’s implementation of the Public Sector Modernisation Programme (II) will, this year, be enhanced through a $335.5 million allocation in the 2010/11 Estimates of Expenditure, currently before the House of Representatives.
The project, being implemented through the Cabinet Office, is aimed at: enabling ministries, departments and agencies to develop and deliver high quality integrated service programmes, meeting customer/client needs; building a customer service structure that facilitates continuous improvement in the delivery of service and accountability to the public; effective implementation of a Performance Management and Appraisal System (PMAS) in all ministries and departments to improve public sector governance and accountability; and strengthening results-based management in Government.
Twice extended since its implementation in April 2003, the project has, up to March this year, seen the implementation of a modernisation plan for the Ministry of National Security.
The Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) has been transformed into an Executive Agency in 2007; modernisation plans have been developed for the Ministry of Education, Cabinet Office, the Forestry Department and the Fisheries Division of the Ministry, of which the latter two are being implemented.
In addition, PMAS have been implemented in eight ministries and four departments; executive agency regulations have been drafted; strategic review of the justice sector has been completed, with the outputs of same informing plans to transform the Ministry and court system to operate on a more efficient and transparent performance; while there is roll-out of the Administrative Management Automation (AMANDA) system as a pilot in four local authorities.
It is anticipated that, this year, the project, which has been extended to March 2012, will see implementation of the AMANDA system in four Parish Councils and five executive agencies and establishment of the Environmental Regulation Authorities Act.
The Corporate Governance and Accountability framework will also be developed, while there is implementation of a customer service monitoring system with a common matrix in pilot agencies, and continuation of development of the Citizens Charter.
The undertaking is funded by the Government, the United Kingdom-based Department for International Development (DFID) and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).