Moody/ lackadaisical public servants to face the heat

 Minister of Public Service Sonia Parag

Screwed faces, lackadaisical behavior when dealing with members of the public and lazy public servants could soon be unable to get away with such behaviors as the Ministry of Public service seeks to implement and enforce a code of ethics for such officers.

Minister of Public Service Sonia Parag on Monday hosted a news conference where she spoke of the need for evaluating Public Service workers.

At times, a simple service that requires an uncomplicated process will be dragged out. Many have also complained about the atrocious behaviors and attitudes of those who work within the public sector including hospitals, schools, and various ministries.

“I’ve been here about two and a half weeks now, and we are a government in transition. What I have observed in the last two weeks is that the ministry has been running on very low human resource skills. Also, processing time prevents the efficiency and expediency within which things can be done in the public service. Those were my first observations, and the things that I believe I need to change immediately,” Minister Parag noted.

The services offered in the public sector is often compared with those offered in the private sector by those seeking the service.

“The Public Service Ministry is committed to fostering a professional public service,” the minister noted.

At the press conference, it was also revealed that the Ministry of Public Service will no longer fall under the Office of the President nor will it be referred to as a department. It will retain the previous status of a full-fledged Ministry.

Apart from the code of conduct, Parag she said the ministry will do a periodic evaluation of public servants that will tell of their level of performance in their job description, and that will allow for the ministry to inform them where they are lapsing.

More interactions can be expected between the service provider and those seeking services. “in such a way that the public will walk away feeling like they’ve just been professionally dealt with”.

“We are looking to upgrade our ministry so that some of the processes can be done online, making that process expedient and efficient. And we want to first deal with the ministry, and then seek to do that across the board.” Stated the Minister.

Parag stressed that the code must not only exist but must be enforced, so as to bring about the desired results.

The minister said she has not yet examined what will be the consequences of not adhering to the code, but she is looking to improve the professionalism of the public service so that citizens can be dealt with in a courteous and polite manner.

Continuous training for those within the Public Service is also high on the ministry’s agenda.