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‘Public Servants Must Be Held Accountable,’ PM Browne Says
Lead: Browne called for greater accountability across the civil service, criticising delays in processing teachers’ payments and warning that lethargy from officials cannot continue.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has issued a strong call for improved accountability within the public service, pointing to bureaucratic delays that he says have hindered the timely payment of teachers’ allowances and upgrades.
Speaking during his weekly radio programme on Pointe FM, Browne expressed frustration over what he described as a lack of urgency from senior education officials in processing necessary documentation.
“I have to hold people accountable for the jobs they’re supposed to do,” he said. “If you are wrong, I have to say you’re wrong.”
While reiterating his administration’s commitment to meeting the financial needs of educators, Browne argued that civil servants cannot expect to “get a free pass” when their actions—or inaction—affect service delivery.
“A lot of times we expect persons to not do their jobs but still get their salary and ask for a raise in the process,” he said.
He acknowledged personally intervening to ensure payment processing, including contacting the accountant general and education ministry officials while overseas. “Even while I was in Washington, I followed up,” he stated.
Browne also advised Education Minister Daryll Matthew to consider staff changes if necessary, saying, “If you have to move people, move them.”
His comments come in the wake of industrial action by teachers demanding overdue allowances and upgrades.
Although the government has since processed payments, the Prime Minister warned that continued internal inefficiencies could erode public trust and disrupt essential services.
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So says the flip-flop prime minister. Does he think before he speaks or consult with his cabinet members first? Enquiring minds would like to know.
Wa In de root in de branch
Well said
Totally agree. No one should be above the rules, especially public servants.
Bravo! It’s about time we held everyone to the same standard.
Oh so you think a Ministry of Education one? Ministry of Agriculture have some slow, lazy, incompetent workers too, they don’t know their job. Want raise and position only for friends and company and care nothing about workers they think below them. But one day not to far from now. As the PS (pass or present) remarked plenty a all you need for go jail.
When you can’t blame the horse, you blame the cart.
I agree with the Honourable Prime Minister. For too long, we have come to expect mediocrity in Government because conventional wisdom states, this is how government works. No one is ever held to account and they often equate their work with the salary that they get……low salary, little effort. Non performers are called out and given the “riot act” in the private sector. In government they are celebrated and lauded because their job is secured. So whilst the Hon Prime Minister slams teachers for what he terms as “excessive in their response,” the civil servants in government who dragged their feet in ensuring that the teachers payments were not processed in a timely manner, escaped blame, condemnation and culpability. It’s like me sending an email to social security and had to wait 3 weeks for an acknowledgement or a response.
It’s clear that this man has people in his administration that want to see him fall.