Despite an increase in water bills on the island, DOWASCO has given another indication that it will soon take measures to rationalize its staffing structure.
The decision which has been described by the General Manager Bernard Ettinoffe is solely geared at improving efficiency.
“We were going through this financial crisis and government allowed a tariff increase for at least the first year and that certainly is going to help. It has taken effect from May of this year but this cannot be all. We must continue being efficient at DOWSCO, we must continue to rationalize the staffing structure and ensure that we have a structure that really suits what we are about at this time,” he said.
He said this should be nothing new.
“Every organization every institution must continuously look at its structure and determine what the best fits, what needs to be done to bring about efficiency and this is all we are doing really,” he added.
Ettinoffe said additionally, that the imminent restructure isn’t intentional.
“It is not a situation where anybody wants to have a wholesale staff cut, but over time even human bodies we develop some fat sometimes and we must trim ii at some point and at DOWASCO all we are trying to do is bring about efficiency and not to hurt anybody,” he said.
Ettinoffe insisted that the move is in the best interest of the company and of the country.
Agreed with you Cerberus!
Unfortunately sugar coating is not satisfying. When all else fail try cutting staff. How about a 5% reduction in upper management salary? How about a voluntary board? Dowasco is such a big scam. People in Dominica pay 100% for a 65% product. 35% of water delivery is mud (la boo). It’s a blessed thing we have great water. Dowasco has got to deliver. Our natural resource water should be readily available to every Dominican. I say deliver don’t fire.
Sir, do not be so openly critical in your thinking, those that were not observant enough to notice this, would not even consider the possibility that what you are saying might be the truth. in the manner for which they are most noted, dominicans and the DLP PRO will label your comment as “politically motivated”. and effectively dismiss your keen concern for things affecting your personal finances.
I’ve always said that the 15% tariff increase was the introduction of VAT in disguise, as is proven now.The argument at the time was that this was to safeguard jobs yet exactly the opposite is taking place!! Dowasco, though a legal entity in its own right, is 100% owned by the Govt. Any shortfalls in their budget would have to be covered by them. Water was the only utility not subject to VAT and this has now been rectified by stealth – to call it VAT outright would have been politically too sensitive.