I was shocked Premier tried to take over Public Service Transformation
Former governor Augustus Jaspert said he was “shocked” at efforts by Premier Andrew Fahie to have his (the Premier’s) office assume the lead role in the Public Sector Transformation Programme (PSTP).
The former governor told the Commission of Inquiry (COI) when he appeared recently that the transformation plans, despite initially having the support of the current and former elected government, saw a change in position by Premier Fahie where he essentially paused the work on the initiative.
“I was shocked and surprised at the position which is being held by the Premier; namely, ‘the Premier’s Office must assume role of the lead Ministry of the PSTP’.”
“The Premier is basically requesting to bring over two years of assiduous work to a halt because of his desire to see a public service responsibility led by his office.”
In a letter penned to the COI, Jaspert commented that it was an alarming and urgent matter that ‘must be addressed’.
Jaspert further told the COI: “The notion that a Public Service Transformation Programme should now be led by the Premier’s Office creates an opportunity for there to be a clear delineation between the roles of the Premier’s Office and the Deputy Governor’s Office in leading the public service.”
And according to the former governor, “the answers to the question of who leads the public service must be addressed with urgency.”
Efforts made to hinder transformation
Jaspert also alleged that the Fahie administration put measures in place that hindered the transformation of the public service.
“I recall — I believe it was March 2019, from memory I believe it was around then — that the current Premier put a recruitment freeze in place; using the budget approach to freeze recruitment of public officers which may also have hindered efforts to improve the public service.”
The COI also heard that Fahie rejected Deputy Governor David Archer Jr’s proposal of a ‘leadership partnership model’ with his office and the Premier’s Office.
The proposal called for the Deputy Governor to be chairman and the Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office to be the deputy chairperson.
The COI heard that, in the Premier’s view, that was not a leadership partnership but an arrangement that puts the Governor’s Office in charge of responsibilities that are outside the governor’s constitutional scope.
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Where was the governor when the Port Authority did not pay us fo 5th design and development of the port project. I delivered 100% design and two berthing agreements worth over $90 million Dollars to the BVI. I di don’t revive one dollar! Governor are you really surprised at anything in the BVI.
I was expecting you appearance in some capacity but your name was not even n mentioned. Reslly wanted to know the views of both sides and the outcome of your lawsuit.Yourissue was hot hot and poof it went cold.c*n artist was the remaining impression. .
Why is that a problem Jaspert? The UK should be glad to see a Territorial Government stepping up to the plate. But then again, that will make us see how little we really need to depend on the British.
The problem is that the public service is suppose to be apolitical, and is under the DG and by proxy the Gov’s office. Which is why no minister can fire you. By usurping the head role of the initiative, the premier was degrading the protection against political interference in the Public Service.
but i dont expect you to understand half the words I just used
done for us? Same thing here – endless grants, loan guarantees, naval assistance, Irma recovery, Covid vaccines, co-creation of the successful offshore finance industry. Without the UK we would be like Haiti.
A voice from the past!
not really..
You were the one who kept entertaining him at government house when he was bringing false news to you on the NDP. You thought he was the mouth of truth until you got a taste of the snake. Not sorry for either one of you.
Gus you interferred in the last election pushing a story about wall investigation that has produced nothing from the police. Andrew brought news to you and you liked that. Only thing is that you didn’t know that Andrew is a completely stranger to the truth. When he showed his real colors to you after you helped him win is when your feelings got hurt. My my my. Isn’t this something.
The now premier overthrew fraser for leader of the opposition then think on you now