The Public Service Ministry is committed to improving service delivery across the country and updating the legislation that governs the department.
Minister for Public Service and Gender Relations, Dr. Virginia Albert-Poyotte, highlighted that the ongoing promotion of the Public Service Awards aligns with this mission.
During Public Service Week in June, the department showcased the Minister’s Top Performer Award, which had been rescheduled to August.
Personnel from all ministries were asked to identify a top performer from their respective departments to compete for the award. An independent panel was appointed to evaluate and select the top performer from the ministries.
At the recent awards ceremony, the Top Performer Award was presented to Mr. Serieux from the Electoral Department. A total of 18 awards were given to top performers from various ministries.
In a media briefing on Monday, Dr. Albert-Poyotte stated, “We often hear about the negative aspects of the public service, but we do not hear about the positive contributions they make.”
“I believe that by focusing on the positive side and rewarding those who have performed well, we can motivate and boost morale,” she added.
The Public Service activities and recognition were held under the theme: Public Sector Modernization – Repositioning and Rebranding the Public Service to Improve Service Delivery.
Additionally, the minister mentioned that the department is looking to “secure a common space where all government departments that deal with the management of the public service” can gather at one location.
“We are just about completing a strategic plan that will include an Operations Manual and an Implementation and Action Plan for the public service,” she noted.
The minister also mentioned that the department is reviewing the current legislation governing the public service, which has been in place for over 40 years, stating, “It’s time that we revisit these legislations.”
Dr. Albert-Poyotte affirmed, “We are working very hard to improve the service delivery that we offer to Saint Lucians.”
At the awards ceremony last Saturday, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre described the event as a ‘wonderful occasion’ to honor hardworking public servants.
“There can be no successful government without a good public service,” the prime minister told the gathering.
He added, “The public service is a very important place for us because you are the ones that make the votes count, you are the ones that have to push the agenda of the government.”
PM Pierre emphasized that the agenda undertaken by civil servants is not political or party-driven, but rather the agenda for the government.
The prime minister stated that the government seeks no conflict with public servants, as this would be “detrimental” to the management of state affairs.
He noted that the government is committed to implementing public service reform and has taken significant steps to upgrade services.
PM Pierre cited reforms in the Customs Department, which now allows customs officers who did not meet ‘benchmark’ qualifications to be eligible for promotions based on their credibility and longevity in the department.
The prime minister described Saint Lucia’s civil service as “very qualified” and possibly one of the most qualified in the region, with many young civil servants performing well.