By Trevor Thwaites (St. George's correspondent)


Efforts to reform and modernize the Public Service received a major boost with the launch of a Modernization Project here on Monday June 19, at the Spice Island Beach Resort. The World Bank is providing US 3.5 million for the project to be conducted over a four-year period. It follows on the heels of the Public Sector Management Improvement Project (PSIMP), funded by the British Government, which expired at the end of June. The Department of Human Resources (DHR) is spearheading the project, which focuses on achieving customer satisfaction, value for money and greater efficiency.

“The objective of this project is to assist government to continue the process of modernizing its public sector. We are in the closing stages of the DEFID funded Public Service Management Improvement Project. This World Bank Project is expected to consolidate and build on some of the initiatives of that project,” stated Permanent Secretary of the DHR, Mrs. Beryl Isaac. She indicated that the new project to be implemented over a four year period is geared towards building the capacity of the government to design and implement public sector modernization initiatives which will address right-sizing the public sector and determining which services will be best delivered by an executive agency through commercialization.

The project also seeks to improve service delivery in departments designated as executive agencies, introduce modern human resource management principles, build the capacity of the government to lead and implement modernization efforts, encourage Sub-regional Corporation through the procurement of select goods and services and strengthen the enabling environment for small and micro businesses. Government has welcomed the support rendered by the World Bank.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell said that the development of a strong and vibrant public sector is a key objective of his administration. “As a result we have implemented a series of reform initiatives – the most recent being the Public Sector Management Improvement Project (PSMIP), which commenced June 2003 and will come to an end shortly. The objective of the PSMIP is sustained equitable social and economic development through and efficient, effective and well motivated public service,” commented Prime Minister Mitchell at the launch of the project.

He noted that despite the achievements of the project, there continues to be areas of weakness, which require urgent attention. “We are fully cognizant of the many areas of structural and operational weaknesses as well as the advantages and benefits to be gained from well considered interventions. We are very conscious of the opportunities that await us once we are strategic in our plans and activities,” the prime minister said. He noted that government is committed to the modernization of the public sector.

“Let me reiterate this government’s firm commitment to the comprehensive reform of the Grenada public service. We are convinced that a modern public service is essential to the development of our society in general.” He said that the new thrust is designed to produce greater levels of efficiency, increased productivity, and more value for money and very importantly increased public satisfaction with quality service delivery. A four-member World Bank Team, headed by Regional Representative Ms Caroline Anstey spent a couple days in the country last week discussing the modernization programme with local officials.



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