Permanent Secretaries shake-ups as new Ministry emerges
With a new Ministry coming on stream headed by Deputy Premier Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE and named the Ministry of Financial Services, Labour and Trade (MFSL&T), things have changed in the central government bureaucracy.
New Ministry, new PS
It is our understanding that the new PS for that new Ministry will be Mrs Petrona N. Davies, who is being reassigned from the Ministry of Health and Social Development (MHSD). One of two Deputy Secretaries at the MHSD, Ms Tasha K. Bertie, will act as PS.
There is a big shake-up at the Ministry of Communications and Works (MCW), with the removal of Mr Ronald F. Smith-Berkeley, who is expected to be reassigned to the Premier’s Office and Ms Elvia Smith-Maduro will act as the PS in the MCW.
It’s our understanding from the same sources that Acting PS in the former Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour (MNR&L) Joseph Smith-Abbott will revert to his substantive post of Deputy Secretary.
All the subjects of the MNR&L are now under the Premier, except for Labour.
There are also discussions about how the staff/public officers of the soon to be no longer in existence MNR&L will be reassigned, as most of the subjects of crown lands, non-belonger land holding licenses, surveys and land registry etc, cannot be easily transferred to the new MFSL&T.
Who is out, who is in?
All other PS will stay, including Mrs Carolyn E. Stoutt- Igwe who will stay on as one of two PS in the Premier’s Office.
Mrs Marica Potter, PhD will be staying on as PS in the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports.
While it is not a Ministry, Mrs Sharleen S. Dabrero-Lettsome MBE will remain a PS assigned to the Deputy Governor’s Office.
It is our understanding that the Deputy Governor, now Acting Governor, has agreed to the changes; however, the proposal must still go before the Public Service Commission (PSC) for approval before it is official, according to a senior stakeholder who spoke to our news centre on condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, Acting Governor Archer Jr told our news centre he was not in a position to comment on reports of the shake-ups.
"I will be in a position to do so on Monday at 1:15 PM," Mr Archer Jr said today, May 3, 2023.
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35 Responses to “Permanent Secretaries shake-ups as new Ministry emerges”
That's what ayo get for kissing @$$&$ and getting jobs under individuals. I'm happy not a man or woman could say I got my job through them.
Moreover, PSs are senior civil servants who should be non-partisan advisers to politicians. They are expected to provide their experience in public affairs and technical knowledge and skills to politicians who invariably and necessarily of limited expertise and tenure, to develop and implement effective policies. Politicians may be averse to hearing this, for too many believe that their election through a popularity contest make them immediate experts in all things.
The following is an excerpt of a 1994 UK government document which defines the values that are expected of civil servants:
A non-political, permanent civil service which sets high value on integrity, impartiality, and objectivity which serves loyally the government of the day of whatever political persuasion-and which recruits staff on principles of fair, and open competition on the basis of merit.
Moreover, the civil service in the VI is a unique and interesting beast. It falls under the purview of Governor, ie, the Deputy Governor, but the local government provides day-to-day supervision, and I think conduct annual evaluations, provide raises/increments. Civil service is not firing on all cylinders but Mount Olympus seems to get a pass; whereas, local government is crucified and nail to the cross for its failures. The RVIPF is also not firing on all 8 cylinders but Mount Olympus also gets a pass, ie, one sided CoI . Mount Olympus is accountable only to itself; it is a case of might is right. IMO, the civil service should fall directly under the control of local government. It should have recruiting, assigning, supervising, training, performance review, etc, responsibilities. Some may this is already the case and that there will be too much nepotism, favoritism, abuse, etc. so it is better under Mount Olympus watchful eye may be. The function and responsibility go together .Well, Government must perform as a professional organization which is held responsible and accountable by voters. Perhaps some vertical integration may improve things. On another note, Voters should have the ability to recall elected officials for cause,,poor performance, no performance, etc. They should not have to wait until the next general election. Hopefully, this is a recommendation form the constitutional review committee.
Moreover , in regards to accounting and based on some municipal experience, I will assume( that is a bad thing) that the BVI would have a finance and accounting department director who would will manage such functions as payroll, income, expenses, budget, economic analysis, accounting, etc. Further, I will also assume that other departments would have budget analyst to manage budget allotments, expenses, etc.
[Lets lead like eagles, not careen off the cliff like buffaloes.]
We backwards mehson. Bad too