Editorial – December 9, 2016
May 20, 2016
It is difficult to believe that Her Excellency and Government were unaware of the long standing debacle surrounding TCOs and Montserrat’s continued failure of progress with Public Service Reform and that first thing required was Human Resources Reform. There was the PSRU (Public Service Reform Unit), designed to address the problems.
The problem therefore was the unawareness that there was a serious lack of competence, just ignorance or lack of interest in really improving the situation.
When Her Excellency Elizabeth Carriere repeatedly, from the day she arrived focused comments on the Public Service and the lack of capacity, for us it was obvious she was well briefed on the chaos that existed. We reported frequently on her pronouncements on the issues.
She remined of the foregoing when she announced her new plan to move forward in an effort to change the status quo. “As you will recall in my press conferences we have discussed repeatedly the need to reinvigorate the public service, to make it fit for purpose for the times we are living in and the demands of the public.”
Was she aware at that time, she did not say, that capacity for certain expertise was lacking in Montserrat? Surely, she did speak to that on the way. Did she? Surely, the Deputy Premier who is collaborating her effort by co-chairing the new venture was aware that HR-PSRU was led by at least two TCOs. Right now, or at least up to very recently there was or is a person who may well be completing a two-year stint in working on the very issue of Public Reform.
In our last Editorial, we rushed to provide information regarding the conversations to somehow quieten or lessen “the language” as the Governor referred to it in her recent and final press conference for this year. Without comment we showed that TCOs have been around, but not utilized. In addition, it was beneficial to some that skills training and scholarships were just not taken up or promoted. What does that really say about those responsible?
We were repeatedly told of their availability and offered their services. Indeed, at no stage was there a hint of a take-over. Nor was there any suggestion that these people had to be from any particular race, country or colour. In fact there was the suggestion that, with respect to the many vacancies which we sought not to fill would be filled preferably by qualified local personnel or from the region.
A look at the MDC staff and management was testament to that. Did that come from negotiation or was it an indication of a partnership and willingness to go forward?
The Governor acknowledged there was a problem with the wording of some of the job offers, acknowledging also that they need to do better in their methods of advertising which may well have been deliberately decided both in and without, but with Montserrat being the worse off for ignorance. A change in their methods of advertising, not so much their method, but the ignorant policy, will bring significant change at finding the best persons, as the Governor indicated is her or their desire.
As someone who knows the dangerous future Montserrat faces administratively and politically, we need to see them coming from Somalia, Chinese looking all kinds of colours, people who may very well have Montserrat blood in them.
Governor Carriere spoke as to what she would like to see taking place indicating that both herself and the Deputy Premiere could not be better placed as they both have expertise in the areas needed to recruit. However she denies that she forces her own preferences on her boards and committees, in making selections, pointing to the fact that even where she has sole responsibility and authority she has preferred to act with consultation.
What has been exhibited on the local front has been that refusal to research and understand what has been, particularly within the last five to ten years. It is vitally important that this happens. There seems to be little cohesion throughout Government from top to bottom. But, it is time that we have a Cabinet that sets about getting the work done. They should say, “Not just my work, my interest, but Montserrat’s work. Those who have to fund this are fed-up; they may not say this openly, but it is not a secret. How can we know otherwise?
