Holness points to sabotage

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has signalled that changes are coming to the public sector as there are individuals deliberately delaying or derailing government programmes. As such, he said the country should prepare for a shake-up in how the public service operates. Holness said he was increasingly concerned that some public officers were obstructing the Government’s plans, warning that it could no longer be “business as usual” as Jamaica continues to recover from Hurricane Melissa. “I don’t usually speak in extreme terms, and there are some subjects that it is better not to speak about them. But more and more I’m coming to the conclusion that there are persons in the public sector who are determined to, again, to use the very harsh word, sabotage. And I don’t say it lightly, they delay, derail policies, programmes, and initiatives of the Government.

I see you, [and] I’m preparing the country to expect these changes, as it cannot be business as usual,” he said. The prime minister was speaking at a special press briefing at Jamaica House on Tuesday during which he outlined plans to reduce government spending and improve the delivery of public services as the country faces the continuing cost of hurricane recovery. While announcing further spending restrictions, Holness said the Government would also examine how ministries, departments, agencies, and public bodies operate, with the aim of removing duplication, improving coordination, and speeding up decisions. He indicated that personnel changes would form part of that process, particularly where leadership, capacity, or performance needed to be strengthened. Holness said the changes were necessary to ensure that the public service could respond more effectively to the country’s needs, especially as the Government…