BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FOLLOWING many years of discussions about public sector reform, the Team Unity Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has decided to make it reality by establishing a committee to chart the way forward.
The committee, which is comprised of present and former government officials, will be led by former Premier Vance Amory, who will be supported by Mrs. Torfrida Rochester, Ambassador Everson Hull and a number of staff members.
In confirming the new committee, Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris noted that performance in the public sector matters, and it is in that regard that the review is taking place.
“We must not accept mediocrity and we must reward performance,” Dr. Harris said.
Among the recommendations expected to be put forward for implementation are performance measures.
“The Cabinet encourages the full support of all for this reform effort that is critical to the delivery of a stronger and safer future,” PM Harris said.
For many years, Ambassador Hull has been campaigning for public sector reform, including incentive-based payment.
Speaking to the incentive-based aspect of the change last month, the St. Kitts-Nevis Observer reported that Dr. Hull said each employee would have measurable goals that would be used as a test for their measurement.
“Those who perform at the optimal performance level will receive under the proposal, an add-on-bonus award that is commensurate with their measurable achievements in meeting and exceeding their performance goals,” he was quoted as saying in the Observer.