Public Service Academy, Tobago Productivity Council approved

It is important to change the way things are done in the THA (Tobago House of Assembly) and in the public sector across TT, said assistant secretary in the Office of the Chief Secretary Ancil Dennis, as he called for the establishment of a Public Service Academy and aTobago Productivity Council during the 25th Sitting of the Tobago House of Assembly on Thursday.

Dennis, representative for Buccoo/Mt Pleasant, said the academy is a very important and critical aspect to Tobago’s development and that of TT as a whole. He signalled the need to train and promote officers, pointing out that at present, people do not go through an orientation process when they join the public sector.

“In the long term, we can call for a review, and I would support that call in terms of how we promote persons, how persons move up through the ranks in the public service so that we can in fact have the best person in the highest positions in governance and in the public sector of TT,” he said.

Minority Leader Watson Duke commended the majority members as he affirmed his support.

“They have now gotten their skull caps on and they are now thinking rightly. I am happy because they are now talking about productivity, they are now talking about things like service excellence; efficiency, accountability, professionalism, competence…these are words that have deep and sincere meaning. We are in support…it’s a very good motion.

But, he added, "It lacks clarity, it lacks commitment and we’re hoping that the PNM (People’s National Movement) Assemblymen who are speaking, that they would clarify those areas. I’m all happy for it but please provide justification.”

Minority Assemblyman Farley Augustine also supported the motion, encouraging the House to implement it in quick time.