P.M. outlines changes to public sector, PSs to go

Although the Opposition was noticeably absent, the Prime Minister, members of the House and Senate sat on the steps of the Administrative Building in Belmopan while the public was offered the shade of tents pitched on the lawn. The special sitting of the House this morning had only one article of business: the Prime Minister’s State of the Nation Address. It was basically an upbeat report on how well his government has “primed the economic engine” and an assessment of the challenges facing the agricultural, education and health sectors. On crime he was candid, saying despite so much work to boost the capabilities of the police, crime is still “not under control”. But he did have one new announcement, one that calls for some radical changes in the public service. News Five’s Karla Heusner was in Belmopan this morning.

Throughout the State of the Nation Address, the Prime Minister stressed that new attitudes are needed to solve old problems. In the case of public servants, he says new leadership is necessary to jolt them out of complacency.

Said Musa, Prime Minister

“In the weeks ahead government will offer voluntary retirement to all permanent secretaries who are not presently on fixed term contracts. Their status will change to that of Chief Executive Officers with proven track records in modern management in order to ensure that the work of government is done with minimum red tape and decisions made are implemented.

We shall also take steps to amend the Constitution to remove heads of departments and senior technical officers from political control and put them under the jurisdiction of an independent Public Services Commission.”

The Prime Minister said for any changes to occur it is vital that senior public officers be committed to fulfilling the mandate of the government. Following his speech, Musa had more to say about this issue, rampant crime and the need for Belize to get on with the business of development.

Q: “What do you envision happening with the change over to CEO?”

Said Musa

“I believe we will have a far more streamlined system; we will have decisions being implemented in a far more effective way. It will also collaborate change that will take place with the heads of departments coming under one-zero-six of the Constitution which is where they were originally. It will also allow them to understand that they will become the senior career civil servants. So the system will be clearly defined and I think it will do a lot to enhance the integrity of the public service.

The significance of this year’s Independence is we have come of age. We have come of age; we are eighteen like any adult Belizean as a country now. This is no time for excuses. Like any adult we must go into the world and take care of ourselves as a country, as a people. And I think that is what adulthood is all about. That’s what eighteen years of Independence is all about. No excuses. Let’s just move forward together and get the job done.”

The Prime Minister also announced today that the first referendum will be held in Belmopan in November to determine if the residents want Belmopan to become a city. However, he says the government is still considering the issue of economic citizenship for possible referendum sometime during this term. Leader of the Opposition Dean Barrow told News Five the Opposition did not attend today’s special sitting because they feel all official House business should be conducted inside the National Assembly.