Public service not politicised

Felix Gregoire

The opening of the year 2012 is an opportune time to extend warmest New Year’s greetings to all citizens of the Commonwealth of Dominica and to thank all Government Employees for their dedication, commitment and diligence during 2011.

In recent times, the perception being given in the media is that the Public Service of the Commonwealth of Dominica is politicised. This perception is totally baseless. The Public Service has served the general public with integrity and impartiality and will certainly continue to do so without fear or favour in 2012 and beyond.

Section 68 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Dominica states: “Where any Minister has been charged with responsibility for any department of Government, he shall exercise general direction and control over that department; and, subject to such direction and control, every department of Government shall be under the supervision of a public officer whose office is referred to in this Constitution as the office of a Permanent Secretary:”.

This section of the Constitution clearly describes the relationship between the Minister and the Permanent Secretary, which demands that in the management of a Department or Ministry the Minister and Permanent Secretary must work together in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect.

Put simply, the Minister is responsible for policy direction with the advice of the Permanent Secretary while the Permanent Secretary is responsible for the administrative aspects, which include the implementation of policy, rules and regulations.

Government’s policy framework is outlined in the Growth and Social Protection Strategy (GSPS) which has been developed with the input of various stakeholders, culminating with the final approval of the Cabinet. Presently the GSPS is being revised for the second time.

Given that Government’s policy is outlined in the GSPS, there should be no conflict between the Minister and Permanent Secretary in the implementation of such policy.

With respect to the recruitment and promotion of public officers, this responsibility rests with the Public Service Commission. In the performance of its duties the Commission receives recommendations from Permanent Secretaries and Head of Departments, (never from Ministers). The decisions of the Commission are final except in the case of officers to be appointed under Section 86 of the Constitution which requires the Prime Minister to give a “no objection” to these appointments.

This “no objection” is enshrined in Section 86 (1) of the Constitution and has been exercised by every Prime Minister since 1978.

Permanent Secretaries and Head of Departments are public officers who have worked their way upwards through the various ranks within the Public Service, and have served various administrations (Governments).

These officers, after completing their professional training overseas, have returned to Dominica to serve their country through thick and thin. Many of them could have landed lucrative jobs overseas, but decided to remain in Dominica to contribute to the national development.

It should be noted that the few advisors engaged by the Government operate within their terms of reference and are not public officers, although they may report to a Permanent Secretary.

There may not always be agreement between Ministers and Permanent Secretaries on the specific manner in which programmes are implemented, but this has been managed through the observance of public service rules and regulations, and of course the will to see progress and development in the country.

Senior public officers have the discipline to separate personal opinion and agenda from professional advice and good work ethics, given the need to account to their superiors as well as set the example for subordinates and officers under their supervision.

The Public Service of Dominica is an institution. Many persons have entered and left the public service and various Governments have been in and out of office. Through all these, the Public Service has remained as an institution established by the Dominica Constitution.

The recent Public Service Reform Programmes have been designed mainly to increase productivity in the Public Service. These improvements have produced tremendous results at the Inland Revenue, Customs and Registry for example, while improvements will soon follow in other areas.

In conclusion, there is need for the Public Service, like any other institution, to continuously examine its operations, policies and programmes to ensure achievement of targeted development objectives. Therefore, any input, feedback or suggestions that will support the valiant efforts of the Public Service in this endeavour, would be welcomed.

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21 Comments

  1. Public Officer
    January 12, 2012

    Thank you Mr Gregoire. It was about time that some one stood up for the Public Service. I know you are not afraid of personal attacks, especially those cowards who are hiding behind pen names. You will leave the Service with your head held high, unlike those who have been fired left, right and center and who think they know everything while they are passing like fools in court and elsewhere. In 2012 the chicken will come to roost. You have served your country well. Be strong.

  2. January 12, 2012

    well said mr. gregoire.i salut u. you are a man of integrity.thats why they don,t want people like u around. you have worked with all governments not only this present government. keep your principle. They hate the truth…
    # 1 cabinet secretary..give the man a break you all wish u could touch him.
    UNTOUCHABLE…….

  3. DR
    January 11, 2012

    Everyone know your eyes are red and you are a fool, so don’t try to make us stop believing what we know for a fact.

  4. is that so?
    January 11, 2012

    PLEASE!! You know how many public servants on fb screaming Labour? Very few shout Workers from what I have seen. I know some public servants who turned on their own relatives who are not in support of the Labour party and you want to say the public service is not politicized? It sounds good in theory but in reality you are inaccurate. You need to REMIND public servants that they do not work for any political party…they work for the State.

  5. Yes sa
    January 11, 2012

    Rubbish bin Bobol
    Fertlizer bobol
    forgery of birth certificates
    passport sales
    Controversial appointment of Chief
    Treasury (the people’s money)
    kickbacks
    non- tendering for some national projects
    Transparency???????
    accountability??????
    The list of political inteference is too numerous to mention here.

  6. Anonymous
    January 10, 2012

    Oh please, you men make me sick. Walking around like puppy gods signing for supper. Grow some balls and stand up for something.

  7. UPTOWN REBEL!!!.
    January 10, 2012

    You SIR, stated this eloquently….But is that the general consensus of the Public?.

    We all know that the Public service,no matter what it does, it should be in the best interests of the People,and the Country…It is not a matter of “media perception”…It is a matter of Public perception; what they the Public perceive you to be…Their beliefs,or perceptions are based upon what they see is happening with the Public Service.

    The ‘Media”,sir, is there, to bring to the attention of the Public, fair and accurate assessment as to what is happening. The job of the ‘Media, is to report and inform the the Public,or masses…accurately.

    So ,are you blaming the “MEDIA”, for the Public’s perception?…Shouldn’t the “media”,bring to light certain concerns and misappropriations,or misconduct, where they exist, and where necessary,especially if those very concerns are being voiced by the Public?…

    Look here,it is one thing to say something, but if our actions say something else, then that is quite a different matter….
    Then what?.

    Yes, we may have certain policies implemented, but if we act contrary, contradictory, and arbitrarily to those implemented policies, then we are not being honest, are we?.
    If we act perversely,then what? Where is the virtue?..Aren’t we violating those same rules,or policies…thereby violating our oath and the Public’s trust as well?. So where is the integrity?…Whom are we really representing?

    Where is the bipartisanship, if we act in a partisan manner…

    Is it right,or fair rather, to be judge,jury and executioner?…..Time will tell, it always does.

    Peace to all…

    REBEL!!!.

  8. cane sugar
    January 10, 2012

    you quoting law and constitution when it suits you. Too bias

  9. Aye Dominique
    January 10, 2012

    Can I give you a pants on fire on this one Gregoire?

    I hope you read the comments here. This will give you an idea as to how the public perceive the Public Service. Then you can come out again and preach untruths without really addressing the issues.

    BTW, why are you still Cab Sec? Isn’t it time for you to bow out?

  10. Conscious
    January 10, 2012

    What’s on paper (i.e. in law and regulations and procedures) and what happens in practice are not necessarily the same. Mr. Gregoire should know that. The argument that the public service is free from political interference from the political directorate is nonsensical. The authority of the Permanent Secreataries have gradually been weakened over the years, and this undermining has intensified under the current DLP adminsitration. There are cases where persons who have been recommended for contractual employment on account of their topping the recruitment search have been denied employment simply because the Minister or the Cabinet deems them as not being in the DLP camp. Cabinet routinely engages and takes decisions in adminsitrative matters, once the purview of PSes.

    Mr. Gregoire, you are simply not credible on that matter. I know there are PSes who disagree with you.

  11. laughing cow
    January 10, 2012

    Mr. Gregoire with all due respects sir, the Public Service is all about POLITICS and you know it!
    Everything in Dominica is politcs! No excuses!

  12. Real Patriot
    January 10, 2012

    It is easy from some to critisize the public service and blame them for many of the inefficencies inherent in our society. However, as a former civil servant myself I can state without fear of contradiction that for the most part the service has many dedicated and hardworking individuals with only a few politically motivated obstructionist. Without the public service Dominica would never advance, as they are charged with implementing the development objectives and policies of the Government. Give credit where credit is due… our elected representatives make the policy decisions but it is up to the public servants to implement the decisions.

    Mr. Gregoire, thank you for a well written article. I hope the public service will take your encouragement to heart and continue to work towards a better Dominica for all.

  13. mad as Hell
    January 10, 2012

    A lie from the pit of hell!

  14. Anonymous
    January 10, 2012

    mr gregs go at your home and give someone else a chance – is not you alone that can be cabinet secretary !!!!

    what you holding over them people head to get that post we will find out one day

  15. bitter
    January 10, 2012

    SING FOR YOUR SUPPER! YOUR CONTRACT COMING TO AN END. LOOKING FOR RENEWAL?

    • hmm
      January 11, 2012

      @bitter. no need to look for renewal, too fast and forward

  16. Grab all
    January 10, 2012

    We are aware of the responsibilities of the public service the fact remains that there are blatant misconduct among the public service; namely garbage bin misconduct,blatant victimization,passport sales, forged birth certificates, tax evasion,duty free infinity,duty free Chinese containers,illegal election candidate at general and by elections and more

  17. Chris
    January 10, 2012

    So i trying to post a comment on DNO and they telling me they think i am a “spambot” lmao!!!
    HEllO… I AM HUMAN

    • laughing cow
      January 10, 2012

      Ur from Planet 51 :lol:

      • Chris
        January 10, 2012

        ur name serves u right.. idiot. No sense of humor

  18. Chris
    January 10, 2012

    :) LIAR

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