BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, July 12th 2013 - In recognition of the importance of the public sector, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis approved a new public service modernization plan which will be implemented over the period 2013 to 2016.

During a ceremony at Ocean Terrence Inn on Wednesday July 10, Head of the Public Sector Elvis Newton gave some insight as to what exactly will take place.

“Through the implementation of this project, the Government intends to increase the quality of expenditure and public sector efficiency,” he stated. “They will promote fiscally sustainable and a more equitable system of pay and employment, which generates the right incentives to improve public sector performance.”

Newton further stated that the main goal of the plan is to improve the performance and delivery of service to the residents of St. Kitts and Nevis, while facilitating growth and development across all economic and social sectors.

Svetlana Proskurovska, team leader with the World Bank, mentioned the importance of this project and outlined the areas that would be looked at first.

“In the upcoming weeks, the public sector procurement process would be initiated,” she said. “Following the consultant selection procedures agreed upon between the World Bank and the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, work will start on payroll, audit and strengthening in the internal control.”

She mentioned that support would be given to the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis and said that there is no time to waste, as there are only 27 more months left to implement this project.

The Right Honourable Prime Minister and Minister with responsibility for Human Resource, Dr. Denzil Douglas, stressed how important this project is to St. Kitts and Nevis.

“Even though we have done something to stabilize the financial position of St. Kitts and Nevis, there remains a number of challenges,” he said. “If we are to overcome these challenges, reform must take place, and it must take place within the public sector.”

Prime Minister Douglas declared that with sustained efforts and focus, there will be ongoing and substantive improvements in both the quality and extent of services that St. Kitts and Nevis’ public sector offers. He outlined that this will result both in productivity gains and improvements in the Government’s revenue base.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Beverly Harris said that as the Government goes forward in this important project, they will remain committed, motivated and focused, on efficient and effective delivery of service which ultimately will be done to the successful development of the country.

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