Skerrit urges public officers to defend their delivery of service

PM Skerrit. File photo

Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, has called on members of the public service to stand up and defend their delivery of service.

He was speaking at the Public Service Awards and Recognition ceremony held at the Goodwill Parish Hall on Friday.

Skerrit mentioned that quite often there are attacks on the delivery of healthcare services in Dominica, “and I have not heard one nurse or doctor defend it.”

“We need to speak up in defense and promotion of the service,” he said. “I also believe that we, in the public service, must stand up and defend our delivery of service.”

Skerrit continued, “I find that you wait for politicians to come and defend you. I cannot defend you; you have to defend yourself.”

He pointed out that the vast majority of public servants are exemplary in their attitude and delivery of service.

“While there needs to be improvement in the facilities and otherwise, but our nurses, the majority of them and our doctors, the majority of them, are making miracles,” he stated.

However, he said the unfortunate thing in Dominica which is not helpful, is that persons decide to see things purely through political lenses.

“We have to look beyond those things in the delivery of our service and also our defense in the promotion of the service,” Skerrit noted.

He added, “I challenge you of the need to promote what you are doing because if we do not promote and defend what we are doing, then what kind of example are we setting for those who are in the service and those who wish to come into the service?”

He also admonished the public service to properly apprise itself of the vision of the government to create the world’s first climate resilient nation.

The ceremony was held under the theme: “Building a Resilient Public Service: A Collective Response”

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37 Comments

  1. Anthony P. Ismael Minister of Free Pampers
    December 10, 2018

    I doubt if there is any theory behind what is done and how it is executed in the public service sector. Coordinating task and activities, Supervision up and down the line and task allocation are ad-hoc at best. This bears itself like a sore thumb in many government activities, including road and bridge design. No one can tell me that a civil engineer with common sense would allow a steep and dangerous incline in Jimmit leading up to Warner continues, without addressing the gradient and road safety. Dump trucks are still allowed to carry and drop gravel on paved roads without a cover on their load. While many of our nurses and doctors perform exceptionally, given the current working conditions, we cannot ignore those who fail and treat patients poorly either.

  2. Anthony P. Ismael Minister of Free Pampers
    December 10, 2018

    We know that Princess Margaret Hospital came into existence in 1950 and few if any successive governments improved upon our health care service sector over the years. Not much was done to 90% of the physical plant and we certainly did not keep up with technology and treating patients who have experienced severe trauma, hence a flight leaving for Martinique with every accident. Furthermore, the delivery of services to the masses by the public service sector is much more than the lowly point person with no power, who we the public often encounters. The entire system itself is outdated and autocratic. You need to find a minister or some big shot in Ministry to have a drink of water and they’re usually off-island. Once they’re off the entire ship comes to a halt.

  3. Ibo France
    December 10, 2018

    Almost every photo that I see of Sherrie he is always smiling. This reminds me that the world is full of monsters with smiling faces.

  4. free
    December 10, 2018

    The PM should tell them why he is in Dubai so many times and he is neglecting so much to be done in Dominica. This Government is far from helping Dominica and you want them to defend. Time to go.

  5. Bob Denis
    December 9, 2018

    I’m not willing to make a blanket statement about delivering public service , but we do have some poisonous minds in all aspects particularly among our blacks, self hate is the only way i can term it. These slackening public personals , should be dismissed in some cases , their EGO have taken control of them in true anti people style .

    • viewsexpressed
      December 9, 2018

      Bob, and in the same breathe we must recognise and encourage those dedicated civil servants who are not blind bats boom boom fly of Skerrit ad his weak corrupt government we must nd we have that obligation and decency to recognise the=m for their continued hard and professional work. Those how are blindly following Skerrit, we await their turn over from this evil labour empire. Our priority is Domininca always for our children , the news upcoming Dominicans leaders and professionals. we must teach and show them and demonstrate decency in government and civility that they learn early of the benefits of clean and good government. Guidance all. Skerrit and his corrupt Labour government Go.
      Guidance to all. God Bless, let us take back our Isle of Beauty from Skerrit and the corrupt Labour government. We need change, we need good, honest professionals. We welcome Hon Lennox Linton and his decent UWP Team.

      • don2fresh
        December 10, 2018

        Are you hearing yourself, partner? Why everything has to be about SKERRIT for you? Why everything has to be about politics and who supports who? I have met some great public officers who support red and some who supports blue. I have met some bad public officers supporting either side of the bench. The issue is in work ethics and what people’s priorities are to and in their workplace and not only in the public sector but the private sector. There are to be improvements in every area but we cannot be dismissive of everything because of some flaws.

  6. REAL!!!!
    December 9, 2018

    PM Skerrit, you are attacking the Public Officers on a DAILY bases in their POCKETS by not giving them WAGE raises, not APPOINTING them and providing them MEDIOCRATIC healthcare.

    SO WHAT DO WANT THEM TO DEFEND WHEN THE PRIME MINISTER IS HURTING THEIR LIVELIHOODS DAILY………and still not providing the PROPER tools in the workplace.

    That too will come to an end!!!!!

  7. Neville
    December 9, 2018

    Skerrit is the master of spin. This man simply is not worthy being the PM of this country.

  8. unbelievable
    December 8, 2018

    Mister Skerrat seems to forget that he is in office of a public servant as well! As a PM he is the head of public servants like everybody else receiving wages out of public’s purse, right? So mister can’t defend nurses and other public officers because his poor leadership and administration can not be justified at all? As another individual said here: the fish starts rotting from its head down. Abusing the staff of the PMH again as an example is the most unfair move bcs unlike him they dobwork hard long hours for likl money with very little resources and equipment, and right, who of you has seen a minister or government representative or their family member in the care of the PMH?
    SHAME on you Rrat , now those who fail to provide wages and equipment do blame the employees !!
    And on NOV 30th when DPSU was asking again for an increase of wages, do we remember what PM’s response was??? How blind can a nation be to refuse to see whats smeared in their faces day by day?
    resting my…

  9. viewsexpressed
    December 8, 2018

    “Skerrit urges public officers to defend their delivery of service…” Skerrit is no position to lecture Public Officers who wprk very hard, are committed to the Socio-Economic development of our Domininca and have to put up with you Skerrit as this failed immature Odd Minister running our country down to emptiness. Skerrit you are occupying space that h you just cannot build up, you just do not have the skills but operate as this Ice cream man just giving out sweets to affect our teeth. Skerrit, from where we sit up the Financial Centre, what you say is just not lined to us in the wprk that we do, as we not what yo are about. We are already saddened by the abuse of your position in engaging the bb \bobol and Fertilizer Bool and if it was one of us civil servants engaged in this bool and misuse of states funds, we would have been arrested and fired. You are therefore not setting an example and have abused the position that you hold that we tax payers pay you for. Yo have failed us.

  10. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    December 8, 2018

    ” Roosevelt Skerrit, has called on members of the public service to stand up and defend their delivery of service.”
    Laughable, most amusing: In dictatorship, the wicked dictator usually spill some sugar, or honey, or a bit of sweet bate to attract and the flies, and cockroaches; when these incest go for the sweet they are killed by the dictator! The late murderer, and dictator of Iraq Saddam Hoseine once held a meeting with all his hench men ministers.

    The dictator; when he was finish speaking, he told his ministers, if there was anything he said they did not like about his decisions, they must speak up and say why; he encouraged them not to be afraid to speak because it is their right to speak. Some of of his ministers spoke, when they were finished speaking Saddam pulled out his gun, and shot them all where they were!

    Well, Roosevelt is using the same tactics here only to see who will speak out; then he will victimized them all.

  11. viewsexpressed
    December 8, 2018

    People read this nonsense talk from your failed Skerrit, and please tell us how on earth this man remained as Prime Minister for 18 years? Odd, isn`t it. Real Odd Minister. Empty: “Skerrit urges public officers to defend their delivery of service…” Who on earth is Skerrit to lecture to us mature decent Public servants when the service has been reduced to a pappyshow behaviour with Bobol after Bobol exposed and incompetence running our poor island. Skerrit must Go and quickly to. We await for decent government in the UWP. Skerrit is one big Joke and if you really wanna know how ridiculous this mans sounds, in the dark avenues of the Financial Centre and other government building try listen carefully to the voices of those civil servants high and low who really believe and are determined to see Skerrit Just get out of this office. Skerrit has been a waste of time and visionless. Too damn spontaneous and ridiculous. Who the hell put this guy up as Prime Minister. Really Odd. He Must…

  12. Ibo France
    December 8, 2018

    What really is there in Dominica to crow about? There is no other country in the sub-Caribbean that is so depressing and distressing. Get sick, you have to be flown overseas to seek medical attention. A prolonged shower of rain and it’s massive flooding and landslides. Diasporans coming home, no direct flights to their homeland, have to go island hopping. Civil servants working in certain public buildings have to wear raincoats and use umbrellas on the inside during inclement weather. Many of the roads suffer from pothole disease. Public servants salaries has no elasticity, cannot stretch for two weeks. For the ordinary man or woman to survive in this country you have to be a financial wizard.

  13. Badbaje
    December 8, 2018

    I have had occasion to require the service of a public servant, a nurse actually, who provided very adequate and professional service. Voluntary follow up was amazing and very pleasant. I am forever in her debt, as we say. The service providers do have every right to be proud of their service to the public in my opinion., and I do agree with the PM in this regard.
    Now how about reciprocating Mr. PM. We all need to show appreciation where and when it is do. in more ways than just lip service. Conditions under which services are provided, safe and reliable means of communication and transportation for service providers. Proper, timely and fair compensation, availability of said service in many areas, accompanying services. Let us work together on these things, to continue to uphold the high standards and levels of service.
    As to defense, what and how exactly are they to defend, they are the ones with the complaints. You sir and your representative are to respond and defend.

  14. PO
    December 8, 2018

    How about appointing teachers? When was the last appointment. I queiried appointment and the rraponse was
    1. It almost like it doesn’t exist in the system anymore
    2. Just because you completed the teacher training program doesn’t mean you will get appiinted. They select who they want.
    And these responses came from the mouths of ministry of education officials.
    Improve public officers working conditions and perhaps there will be something to defend.

  15. Anonymous
    December 8, 2018

    You hear that folks. He can not delend you! But he is very good at attacking, isn’t he? Mister forget is we that put him there to look after all our interest, not just his own.

  16. RandyX
    December 8, 2018

    Skerrit, in reality there is nothing to defend because in essence you are asking them to defend your incompetence. If they are wise they defend their delivery of service in showing you and your party the red card.

  17. December 8, 2018

    The fish begins to rotten from the head bro; you must set the example and the Public Servants will follow; tell me Double (Dr) PhD did you expect that the Square pegs that you have placed in the Round holes throughout the entire Public Service to deliver any kind of efficient service; and what is there for them to defend when you continue to disrespect all Constitutional Law; including Statutory rules and regulations.

  18. December 8, 2018

    Prime Minister Sir, they are not going to stand for their defense, because they think that the offense is against you and your Government, so they go along with opponents. Either that or those who are satisfied with their working condition, simply ignore those who are opposing

    Also, just as you said it, people continue to look at things through political eyes, that is why mankind can never have peace and harmony with his fellowman.

    • %
      December 8, 2018

      @lizforsatan
      Health care services cannot be defended..It is abysmally poor,because the corruption saddled DLP which you “””Liz for Satan””support has no concern whether or not poor people going to PMH for health services die…That’s how evil this DLP is …No wonder you are part of them..Birds of a feather flo together
      Skerrit Must Go
      Skerrit Must Go
      LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now

      • Ibo France
        December 10, 2018

        %, go easy on Lizzy, she is up in age and we are to revere our elderly statesmen and women. I vehemently disagree with her politics but I love her as a person. Come on, she is no Satan, she’s just misguided.

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      December 8, 2018

      Elizabeth you need to shut up; you are always defending Roosevelt in his corruption; you must be his nurse; I wonder if you obtained your nursing degree from the University of Punjab, or Duquesne, the same place where Roosevelt bought his honorary worthless bits of papers?

      I wonder if he paid for your nursing degree also.

      Why don’t you be quiet; you are living bone poor, wherever you are in North York; has Roosevelt ever offered to help you out of your poverty?

      Try asking him to help you or one of your family in Dominica with a need and see what happen! I am talking from experience; you are wasting your time Elizabeth kissing up to Roosevelt!

      Wouldn’t you like to live in the sort of house Shirley posted on the blog; I hear it belong to a politician at the very top in Dominica, take a look at where you live; then ask where did that Dominican got the money from to buy that mansion in America? 

    • viewsexpressed
      December 9, 2018

      Elizabeth, you are so blind to the reality of situation in Domininca. Your focus is on the failed man called Skerrit. His reputation has been compromised and Everytime you attempt to write something on DNO it just shows some level of denial and ignorance to the reality of the situation our Domininca is in Skerrit has failed us and his Corrupt Labour government after 20 years are tired, blind, has not development our Domininca and has turned our poor people to big beggars and more in poverty. Where are the jobs Elizabeth? Are yo able to direct us to the job site, or you are so blind your eyes are only focussed on your immature failed Skerrit. Well, he is the big time failure and he must Go. Get Out, Go away. Labour Party is a big failure.
      Lets us welcome the UWP Team and its decent Leader Hon Lennox Linton and his trusted professional Team.

  19. I must speak
    December 7, 2018

    Was he sending a message to senior police inspector that has nothing to do, except to defend lies, corruption and deception? That Mills guy is destroying the country and the day Skerrit is removed he too,must go because his frequent calls to talk show programs proves the rascal poses serious national security threat. The man behaving as if he feels that he will be in trouble with international law agencies, the day Skerrit is out. I am not saying he will be in trouble with anyone I am simply saying his behavior is strange

  20. Truth Offends
    December 7, 2018

    We the people of Dominica ask the PM to stand up and defend our democracy. We ask him to speak the truth to us and stop fooling us because we are not Ian. We are asking Skerrit to tell us the truth about Ross University because at one time he told us Ross left because of Maria and therefore Ross is at fault. Then he told us Ross loves Dominica and Dominica loves Ross. Then he told us it’s a love affair between us and Ross and just the fruits of the 40 years of marriage that will be sheared armicably and Ross agreed to give landlords some millions for their lost. That was in August. But during our independence he told visiting Dominicans (not residing Dominicans) that they thinking of taking the matter before the courts. So far he is yet to tell us about their progress, eccept that we saw Ross employees were being harrassed by Skerrit’s police this week, but Skerrit is saying nothing to us. So we need him to stand up and defend our country by speaking the truth to us

    • %
      December 8, 2018

      Ian dog last..The parliament just before Ross announced its departure
      Honourable Danny Lugay,stood up in our parliament to address the Ross matter,Ian quickly intervened with a point of order,and the old speaker,sided with Ian.So Ross was not discussed…. Skerrit will attempt to bring a bogus business to occupy the area soon, because election is at our door steps and he knows that DlP is sinking ship…
      Skerrit Must Go
      Skerrit Must Go
      LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now

  21. USDOM
    December 7, 2018

    Dear,.
    Mr Prime Minister, you defending me does not mean that I support your action which speaks louder than words. The public service employees has aright to protect there job or If…else have freedom of expression of there views on suggested matters. You don`t spoon feed me to defend something that is not right or IAW with the actions of government.

    In relation to healthcare in Dominica, I was impressed with regards to certain practices at the PMH that was done and being measured by the healthcare professionals in the United States. Questions ask, if or what esle was covered by PMH healthcare provider base on related questions ask in the US but this does not mean that we are up to standards.

    Customer service at PMH sucks, it really does. Employees should be held accountable. I won`t go into details of my own experience, as this will uncover a lot of instances whereby employees can be fired.

  22. Dominica
    December 7, 2018

    The public has an equali right to crticise services when they do not perform as they should. The government should be the initiator and enabler in this. Lead comes from the head, not the bottom. I am sure many in the health service are able and more than willing. They should be motivated by those who are charge of them. Nothing is more demoralising when you are not provided with the means and tools to perform to the optimum level and getting told you are negative when you complain about shortcomings or suggestions for improvement are ignored, or worse, ridiculed.

  23. Ibo France
    December 7, 2018

    What is there for public servants to defend? These same public servants have been verbally abused and vilified by Ministers in parliament, the hardworking nurses are a prime example. No parts of the public sector are performing satisfactorily due to the severe lack of resources and gross incompetence of political appointees at the helm of key public institutions. Most of these public servants are overworked and underpaid. Their current salaries don’t permit them to live a comfortable life. How does anyone expect public servants to sing the praises of a system or a government, that every time they cry out for improved working conditions or better wages, to lift their substandard way of life, they are denied and preposterously accused of playing politics? Not even Skerrit can convincingly defend his tenure in government. His stewardship has been marred with monumental corruption, mischief, insufferable hardship, dishonesty and blatant victimization. Time for Skerrit to take the exit.

  24. Enough
    December 7, 2018

    You hear crap..Hmmm .you are the King of Domonica so you should talk because it’s only about you.And has always been..Do your blasted job then no one will have to defend anything..You have done mothing to give Doninca proper health care ridiculous.

  25. %
    December 7, 2018

    This man speaks and mixes everything up like he is cooking a soup?Was he really an English teacher?No wonder he is on record as Dominica’s only PM who could not debate..Skerrit the nurses cannot defend the indefendable.Health care on island is the worst in the region,and under your government it has been the worst in Dominica ..Can you defend that? Why won’t you and your ministers seek medical care at PMH,?Why will your wife reject PMH for even the delivery of a child? ..Man you are such a preposterous clown…
    People see things through political lenses…This is the epithet of your administration ..You all saw delivery of ration,building materials and everything through political lenses. That’s why you will soon be rejected and discarded at the polls.
    Skerrit Must Go
    Skerrit Must Go
    LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now

  26. DD
    December 7, 2018

    They may be good in delivering but resources are lacking Mr. P;, hence makes it difficult to be effective and efficient

  27. Me
    December 7, 2018

    And what if there is nothing to delend?Me

  28. World's Moistest Jheri Curl
    December 7, 2018

    How about improving their working conditions
    Also, do not add to their perceived duties when you refuse to compensate them adequately

  29. Shaka Zulu
    December 7, 2018

    The utterance above sound like a man on some drugs. Seems like skerrit must be testing weed see if he can handle before going legal. Then try to give a speech. This is without substance void of any direction or idea and sounds lime someone under the influence of Somthing. Majority of them are working miracles. You are sooo right because the kind of conditions, pay, and management its a pity the whole system aint collapse yet. How do you know about the service when all of you fly out have babies and so on. The only thing that can describe why Dominica healthcare and public service aint implode yet is nothing short of a miracle. Tell bishop Time to canonize some public servants. :wink:

  30. derp
    December 7, 2018

    pff customer service is one of the worst in the world here in Dominica, it’s like you have to beg those people, to do something smh

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