Road Town, Tortola - The heads of departments of the Ministry of Finance (MOF) have concluded their presentation of objectives and activities for 2010 at the annual strategic planning sessions.
The sessions, held from February 1-11, ended with the Ministry of Finance proper, which comprises the administration, accounts, budget, project support services, procurement, and human resources units.
During his remarks at the final session last Thursday, Financial Secretary, Mr. Neil Smith said, “It was a good day. I left behind any shadow of a doubt that the Ministry of Finance is incapable of successfully implementing its strategic plans.”
This year, the Ministry of Finance highlighted four areas as the focus for reform in 2010. They are service delivery, financial management, strategic planning and human resources management.
Some activities for implementation in 2010 include customer service workshops, cross-training, a review of presently used software and manual systems, as well as the implementation of new systems to allow convenience for Government and public users.
The planning days were facilitated by Ms. Dorian Lennon, a professional, with over 30 years experience in the areas of training and group facilitation, social work, project management, human resource management and health care.
Her presentation stressed the importance and benefits of planning; teamwork as an essential tool; critical factors conducive to participation; as well as the need for leaders to model the way to effect positive change throughout the organisation.
Ms. Lennon’s focal point was to demonstrate to all participants how effective planning is achieved. She helped revise existing work plans to include deadlines and to clearly outline objectives and activities.
During her presentation, Ms. Lennon said, “It is important to develop a methodology for managing the planning process.” She also added that “it is not enough to plan and just have it on paper.”
With regards to participative planning and active leadership, she expressed, “We need to develop leadership that provides a structure for participative planning.” Ms. Lennon also said “There are some people who will continue with how things were done before, but it is no longer business as usual.” She later said, “It is business unusual.”
Mr. Jeremy Hodge, Human Resources Manager in the Ministry of Finance, organised the strategic planning sessions. He expressed, “The ministry’s planning days brought much promise. I look forward to the harvest this year as the ministry and departments report on their achievements, as outlined in the Ministry of Finance work plan 2010.” He also said that the facilitator, Ms. Lennon, will be back in May to observe the various departments’ progress.
The Department of Information Technology, the BVI Post, Her Majesty’s Customs, Treasury Department, and Inland Revenue Department are included in the portfolio of the Ministry of Finance and all participated in the planning days.
The annual strategic planning days are in line with the vision of the Ministry of Finance, which is to be a highly professional and competent, results-oriented organisation; that is committed to providing effective financial management of the Territory's resources through timely, thorough and accurate financial and economic analysis.
British Virgin Islands News