UNLESS THERE IS meaningful reform of this country’s public sector many national goals will not be achieved.
This week’s lofty and desirable national pursuit of “excellence” in all areas of endeavour could very well end up being nothing more than a bad dream if there is no significant change in the practices of the largest employer.
The annual tripartite observation of a week of excellence must be much more than rhetoric and academic deliberations. Barbados is at a stage where excellence, whether seen in terms of higher productivity, delivery of world-class services, or the attraction of investment capital, is going to be crucial to the needed economic growth. But these things will not happen by waving a magic wand.
It is well known that productivity growth is key to improving the country’s well-being, but it is evident we still have some way to go. Barbados has a relatively well-educated workforce but it must get even better, given that the country is stacked up against worldwide competition. Therefore, there must be a focus on advanced education; investment must be made in improving infrastructure, including technology; and doing business must be made easier. The goal must be to maximise the level of efficiency across all spheres of activity.
This is why the public sector is so important and the bureaucratic red tape that hinders much of its operations must be removed if it is to give that critical support to private enterprise.
Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, as Minister of the Civil Service, must reinforce the importance of strong management by senior public sector officers. He must demand that they deliver a positive measurable performance and first-rate customer service, and they should be rewarded when the targets are achieved. But these leaders must also be held accountable when they fail and where there is poor performance.
Those systemic problems which stem from lack of accountability and negatively impact employee morale and the chances of success must no longer be overlooked.
In this drive for excellence, good people are necessary and that is why there must be a meritocracy in getting highly qualified and competent individuals into the public service. As many of the older public servants retire the service should be rebuilt and reshaped with a young tech-savvy workforce. Organised labour must buy in and come on board.
The Barbados economy is still going through a rough period and an uncertain recovery without the flow of required jobs. The country cannot afford a situation where there is a growing section of the population vulnerable to poverty and with reduced access to social services as well as economic opportunities.
And while business people will take risks by investing and thereby creating jobs once they can be assured of a profit, this will happen only if the enabling climate makes it easier for them to succeed.
Both the pursuit of excellence and the attainment of excellence are critical if Barbados is not to stagnate. And the public sector has a critical role to play.