Call for a more effective public service

The public officers were called to be more effective and responsible
The public officers were called to be more effective and responsible

Secretary to the Cabinet Steve Ferrol has called on the public officers to be more effective and responsible when delivering government services to the general public.

Speaking at the launch of Public Service Day on Tuesday, Ferrol said although the service has come a long way, there is work to be done.

“We in the service have made tremendous strides and this we must celebrate,” he stated. “I hasten here, however, to remind all that there is still much work to be done in order to have a fully modernized and effective public service. Time is not on our side as we have the onerous task of preparing our public service and Dominica by extension not just for our own personal development but to compete for the very survival of the many jurisdictions within the OECS, CARICOM and the wider international community.”

Ferrol noted that the public service must step up to the game and “take up our place in crafting a Dominica model of development, a process which I submit needs immediate accelerating.”

“We must realize that we can still be much more effective, we can still be much more responsible and productive in our implementation of the programs of government, we can still be masters in the delivery of government services to the general public,” he stated.

Awards, hikes, a talent night and a church service are some of the activities that public officers can look forward to as Public Service Day 2014 is observed.

The day which is slated for December 5th, 2014 will be celebrated under the theme “An Efficient Service, a Sustainable Future.”

Also speaking at the official launch, Chief Personnel Officer Irma Edwards, explained that the day presents an invaluable occasion to highlight the dedication of public servants.

“The role and impact of the public service are important elements for achievement of targets for national development,” she said. “Without the diligence, innovation and creativity of public officers to craft out the enabling responsive and facilitative environment that is needed to drive and sustain growth in the private sector, our goals to achieve social and economic progress will be completely derailed at the worst.”

Minister for the Public Service, Senator Alvin Bernard, noted that the theme of this year’s celebration is justifiable.

“The introduction of non salary incentives such as home financing, supporting health and insurance mechanisms, training are government’s recognition of the impact of the emerging global economy,” he said. “It is my hope and expectation that the week of activities will serve as a stimulation for further commitment and your own personal advancement and your own contribution to the development of Dominica.”

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29 Comments

  1. Willing to work
    June 26, 2014

    Mr Cab Sec, don’t be a hypocrite, public servants are willing to work even for 0% but to much politics with appointments and acting positions .We become fraustrated. Wake up sir. All you day will come one day.

  2. LEGIT
    June 26, 2014

    the impotency of the public service starts from the top…”what should I be efficient when the supervisor is playing the ‘A”

  3. resident
    June 26, 2014

    Stop appointing officers base on political affiliations and friendships you would know all about that.

  4. June 26, 2014

    hypocrisy at its best. Slavery in the reverse. 0,0,0 % then call me lazy !

  5. honest
    June 26, 2014

    cab sec first set the example.You as cab sec is a public officer.How can you be an ambassador which is not a public officer at the same ? how could u as a public officer acted ambassador to Caricom following the death of maynard and was paid thousand of dollars.Director of Audit where were u on that one?it is both wrong and illegal..Money money money
    Cabinet Secretary is a public office.Ambassador is not.It is a political position.You cannot be both.U could not as cab sec acted Ambassador to Caricom following maynards death.Furthermore to have even been paid thousands.Director of Audit where were you.Public officers are watching

  6. PS
    June 26, 2014

    Charity begins at home ambassador steve ferrol

  7. Anonymous
    June 26, 2014

    All I hear from the public service is: we want more money. I say, do a good job first and then demand more money! Every time I’ve got business with any public service department it is the same, unanswered phones, unreturned telephone calls, unanswered emails, rude and unfriendly staff, poor customer service, a lack of knowledge…I could go on and on.
    The way I see, get more productive before you ask for anymore money. The majority of the public service only turn up to pass the day and pick up their pay cheque. Take some pride in all your jobs, learn to do a decent days work and treat your customers with respect before asking for more money

    • dafriend
      June 26, 2014

      Could not agree more. It appears to me these public sector workers are accountable to nobody. The only thing in their minds – less work, more money.

  8. Grand bay
    June 26, 2014

    Government offer civil servant 0 percent. However the prime minister can find $500.000 to give to the catholic church . The more things change the more it remains the same. Can someone please confirm that the cheque has been cleared. Or is it nsf? FET what do u think?

  9. ATKINSON
    June 26, 2014

    Pay the public service and better, higher salary

  10. natural dominican
    June 25, 2014

    attitude reflects leadership

  11. turned off
    June 25, 2014

    Mr secretary, the compensation I get for my work is ineffective.
    I can hardly pay my bills.
    How do you expect me to give more. 0 is what i’ve been offered yet you want me to give 100. There is something fundamentally wrong with that.

    • Face the Facts
      June 25, 2014

      I do not think he expects anyone to give what they cannot afford. People give what they can afford. If they cannot afford to give, they just don’t. This is the way it goes. If I were you I would not worry about it.

    • Face the Facts
      June 25, 2014

      Actually, the compensation is “insufficient or inadequate.”

  12. Smiling Dimpler
    June 25, 2014

    God tell me to tell you, ” not to follow the devil’s path”.

  13. Erasmus B. Black
    June 25, 2014

    Can His Excellency the Secretary to the Cabinet differentiate between “We” and “I” on one hand and “Our” and ‘Us” on the other hand? That would go a long way in enhancing the discourse analysis.

    Meanwhile, and to deviate a bit, I was so enthralled by a Televangelist two evenings ago, I actually wrote down the text of his sermon from the Holy Word : “On the day you stood aloof while [they] carried off the wealth of the land, you were like one of them.”

    • Face the Facts
      June 25, 2014

      Tel-evangelists excel in preaching, a prepared text or a rehearsed one. This Tel-evangelist should send some of all that money he makes to Dominica, to assist those in need.

  14. Lead by example
    June 25, 2014

    As a junior public servant, the way I see it; these people (likeCabSec) help the current regime to kill the very public service that they are a part of and turn around and degrade public servants. The very pple in their respective departments work hard and long hours, sometimes without the pay of overtime, to make them look like they’re the best managers the Gov’t service have ever seen. No regard for pples hard work. Anyways, sometimes we tend to forget that the higher we are the harder we fall. I wonder if I’m the only person who notice how much hatred the gangster club have for public servants. the same public servants who they ride like donkey.

    • Face the Facts
      June 25, 2014

      D/ca should also have a Government Labor Department which should set regulations for all D/can employees to ensure that they will be compensated for overtime.
      Employees who are not management do qualify for overtime pay. If per chance they work on a recognized holiday, they should be paid time and a half or a day off in lieu of pay.
      Should an employee be dismissed without advance notice as two weeks, the employer is obligated to pay at least two weeks severance pay. It all depends on the length of service.
      This is why I have stated which is no criticism to the current government that some changes should be effected if one is not in effect. I emphasize, not necessarily a change of government. Who does not like this, too bad. This is my personal opinion, as everyone has his/her opinion.

  15. Alas
    June 25, 2014

    That Civil Service is plagued with some wicked, malicious and vindictive supervisors that are just bent on sending people to their graves early..
    When you are not appreciated for your hard work you feel empty and obviously productive will suffer. Besides the big boys getting their fat cheques there are those in the lower strata still willing to press you down… Dat is rat race and then you are faced with 0% 0% 0%… Boy Steve it tight weeeeeeeee.

    • Face the Facts
      June 25, 2014

      Oh boy! What strong words! Do they really deserve these harsh names?
      It is the government service. I would not think the supervisors drive them so hard. Work has to be done and it depends on the department and type of work. Some departments are busier than others.
      Be aware that no one is sufficiently paid, what they deserve for the amount of work they perform. You can call it an unfair world.
      If they work hard and they feel their pay is insufficient and are not paid for working overtime, they should take it up with the supervisor/manager.
      There is a pay structure for each position and this may not be able to be changed especially if employees remain in the same position without a promotion.
      I recall in the work force in Toronto, some years ago prior to inflation setting in and whatever else they call it, the big banks and corporations would give an annual cost of living increase.
      On the anniversary date of employment, the usual annual performance appraisal report would be prepared. If employees performance was satisfactory or above average, they would receive a substantial increase. We would receive two increases per year.
      During the year, if employees were promoted, they would also receive another increase, making it three increases. This is how their income increased quickly. Those good times are gone.
      Today employees will be fortunate if they receive a two percent, even a one percent annual increase; maybe a 0.6, etc. :lol: Sometimes, none at all even though their attendance and performance are excellent.
      It is not encouraging as it was in previous years to put forth your best performance but, it must be done in order to retain the job. Could elaborate more on that.
      When you state supervisors are driving their subordinates to their grave, I hope this is an exaggeration. There are some employees in the world who are worst off as previously mentioned. In their part of the world the cost of living is high and increases throughout the year. How some people make it even though they cut costs, is beyond comprehension.

      • June 26, 2014

        My boy all what u are saying is true and that is how it supposed to be.. the truth is …. in the public service you have to literally beg a supervisor to do your appraisal for . And if you go to a manager or a more senior figure to litigate your matter, well, crapo smoke your pipe. They punish u instead. Don’t even tell us we have a union, that is a big joke. the union is in bed with the Government. The truth is we are being shaft !
        and that is that ! politics corrupted the public service.. :oops:

  16. immigraniada
    June 25, 2014

    can somebody teach public servants that replying to emails and returning phone calls within reasonable time is OBLIGATORY!

    • Face the Facts
      June 28, 2014

      As usual, they will say, due to the high volume of emails we receive, we will not be able to respond to all of them.
      For some it is lack of manners; for others they are overloaded with work and do not have time to answer. Still for some, they could not care less.
      You should request a reply. If your email is urgent, indicate it. Be careful what you write in the Subject.
      I read an interesting article on the Internet pertaining to this. Use an appropriate subject but ensure it will draw their attention, words to that effect. Hope it does.

  17. shaka zulu
    June 25, 2014

    Mr. Ferrol it starts at the top. Is up to those in charge to set the tone and culture. Stop hiring based on friendship and family and look at quality and qualifications. Put the right people in the correct place. More stress on ethics in work place and treat all fairly. Again those in charge should set the tone and others will follow.

  18. Voice
    June 25, 2014

    I must say that Mr. and DEM well bold face you know….that is what we used to call wrong and strong. I doh know how they do it….no conscience or shame at all…none what so ever. :oops:

  19. Views Expressed
    June 25, 2014

    Mr. Ferrol ..PLeeeeeaasssssase
    “Secretary to the Cabinet Steve Ferrol has called on the public officers to be more effective and responsible when delivering government services to the general public…”
    Are you real. You all sit there, disrespect public servants, ignore and insult Public Works Workers etc etc. Since when Satan can forgive sins Mr. Ferrol? Are you al for real.

    Ferrol, lease clean up your backyard first before you lecture decency in pubic office to us.
    In other words Shut and go talk to Prime Minister to clean up the government service. We need good governance in thiss country.

  20. lego beast
    June 25, 2014

    more effective public service while you all enjoy the bigger salaries..basically live on a plane and expensive hotels..freeze our salaries yet expect more productivity from us…

  21. call it
    June 25, 2014

    All u doe want to raise salary pay people and all u talking bout being effective? Go to hell!

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