President David Granger on Wednesday morning met with Permanent Secretaries and senior public servants and made it clear that those public servants who resigned from office to hit the campaign trail, will stay resigned.

A number of permanent secretaries who mounted the platform of the People’s Progressive Party during the last elections sat attentively with a worried look on their faces as the President outlined his vision for the public service.

He said his administration has no interest in political public servants.

“If public servants try to be politicians, there will be administrative catastrophe. Public servants must not try to be politicians but must give their best advice without fear or favor,” Granger said.

He noted that it would be pointless to ask persons not to be politically bias but said administrative neutrality must be sought.

“It is the acceptance of working without reservation and with devotion for the success of every lawfully elected administration.”

Speaking to a room full of senior public servants at the International Convention Centre which the President has renamed The Arthur Chung Convention Centre, President Granger told those gathered that he wants the public service to have integrity, intelligence and to be impartial. 

He said he has no interest in overlooking a disgruntled public service and therefore he intends to honor collective bargaining with the unions and create a better environment for public servants.

“We need a public service that is relevant not irrelevant. One that has roots in all regions and is responsive to the people and one that is resourceful and reliable,” President Granger noted.

The new APNU+AFC government intends to establish a merit system where people will enter the public service and be promoted on basis of merit.

In this regard, a public service staff college will be introduced where persons entering the public sector will have to complete a course that is based on public administration.

Granger stressed the need for a public service that would give impartial advice to his Ministers and not “cock advice.”

Former President Ramotar’s son, Alexie Ramotar

“The public service needs reform. I have no interest in having a collision with the public service and will accept and respect any collective bargaining agreement,” the President added.

He said he intends to deliver on his promises of salary increases for public servants.

“In the month to come with a reformed public service, people will regard public servants as unbribeable… no foreigner or tourist will feel that to get something done they must put their hands in their pocket and a give public servant a raise.”

The President made it clear that he is not looking to build a new public service, but rather he is looking to develop a public service that is professional, efficient and reliable. (Kurt Campbell)

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