Prime Minister King calls for commitment from public servants

Wednesday, November 4, 2009 – Prime Minister Honourable Stephenson King says his government is committed to enhancing the role and operations of the public service.

Mr. King says an efficient and effective public service is vital if Saint Lucia's economy is to grow and remain competitive. However, the Prime Minister says in order for this to be possible, government is seeking the support and commitment of all public servants.

Speaking earlier this week at the opening of a two-day conference on Improving Public Service Performance in the OECS in Times of Crisis, Mr. King noted that it can no longer be business as usual in the Public Service. “If one is to take a poll of citizens on the views of the public service, I am sure that respondents will indicate that it is inefficient, wasteful, not responsive to clients and that there is too much red tape. Government has a responsibility therefore, to formulate policies and strategies to improve the public service. It is also clear that the public sector has to adapt to a rapidly changing global economy if our economies in the OECS are to improve their levels of competitiveness,” the prime minister said.

Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central bank Sir Dwight Venner, who was the keynote speaker at the conference, says an efficient and effective public service is required for Saint Lucia and other OECS member states to take advantage of opportunities that arise from crisis situations.

“The first ten months of this year has taught us a great deal about our capabilities and our resolve in the face of tremendous crises. We are now entering the stage of systematic planning and institutional development, and although we still face many challenges, many opportunities are presenting themselves.”

Attended by permanent secretaries and senior ministry officials, the conference was supported by the World Bank.

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