Dear Editor,
The Government of Dr. Irfaan Ali must be commended and applauded for the many development projects and social services interventions across all the portfolios
However, when will the Government of Dr. Ali address the following matters for improved and effective governance of important institutions in our country?
1. The undue and prolonged delay in the appointment of the University of Guyana Council?
2. The non-appointment of the Public Service Commission.
3. Professionalizing of the Public Service having regard to the 2016 Commission of Enquiry into the Public Service headed by Professional Harold Lutchman, with its many recommendations including:
– enacting a Public Service Law with related regulations to create and govern a professional Public Service free from political party and other external influences. This law governing the Public Service obtains in the Caribbean and other Commonwealth countries.
– Appointment of the Public Service Commission with suitably qualified persons of high personal and professional integrity, responsible for all appointments based on merit, including for Permanent Secretaries, and Regional Executive Officers.
– Higher retirement age – 60 – 65 for public servants which can provide a higher NIS Pension.
– Ending contract employment for regular civil service positions and utilizing contract employment for projects and non-civil service positions.
– the remunerations for all high-level Public Service Offices including the President, Vice Presidents, Prime Minister, Ministers, Leader of the Opposition, Members of the National Assembly, Permanent Secretaries, Regional Executive Officers, and Regional Chairpersons, as in the case of Trinidad and Tobago where a Salary Review Commission periodically makes appropriate recommendations to the Parliament for consideration and approval.
The Government is called upon to review the Commission of Inquiry into the Public Service of Guyana Report 2016, and give it serious consideration for implementation as professionally appropriate following public consultation. Let the public know this Government’s disposition on the various recommendations of the COI in the Public Service
With thanks
Joshua Singh
