The Public Service Commission of Inquiry (COI) which was set up by President David Granger, has started its work but is doing so without any defined contractual obligations with the government.

At a press conference on Tuesday, the three Commissioners claimed they were yet to hold any discussions with the government on matters concerning remuneration or a budget cap for the Inquiry.

Responding to questions from the media, Chairman Professor Harold Lutchman said there wasn’t a defined timeframe for the inquiry but said it likely to last beyond five months.

“We are not concerned about cost… we are all very passionate and want to do this work in the public’s interest,” he added.

So far, the commission has received some 30 statements from stakeholders across Guyana, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Notices for the commencement of public hearings will be published soon in a bid to foster a more efficient and professional public service.

According to the five terms of reference, the commission is tasked with inquiring into, reporting on and making recommendations on the role, functions, recruitment, training, remuneration, conditions of service and other matters pertaining to personal employment in the Guyana Public Service.

Lutchman made it clear that the COI was not a wages and salaries commission. He said the aim was to build a public service that would serve as an asset to the government of the day.

The Commission is also tasked with determining what measures should be taken to improve the efficiency of the public service and reviewing the methodology used in the classification and recruitment of public servants.

It will also review and examine the age of retirement of public servants and make recommendations in this regard.

The Chairman refused to divulge details pertaining to statements and complains received so far but promised recommendations that will be all-encompassing.

The other commissioners are Sandra Jones, a Human Resource Management and Development Specialist with more than 25 years experience in both the public and private sectors in Guyana and the CARICOM region and Samuel Goolsarran, a Consultant Adviser of the Consultative Association of Guyanese Industry Ltd.

The Commission’s Secretary is former Magistrate Geeta Chandan Edmond.

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