Gov’t to create new posts in Dept. of Public Service to push public spending

The Government is looking at the creation of technical posts within the Department of Public Service to push its Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP).

This was disclosed by Finance Minister Winston Jordan following a meeting with President David Granger, Ministers of Government, Permanent Secretaries and Deputy Permanent Secretaries of the various Ministries on Thursday.

The meeting was held at the Baridi Benab at State House, Georgetown.

“We are looking at the Department of Public Service, giving credence to the creation of some posts, some technical posts to make certain that this process is well driven,” Jordan said in an interview with the Ministry of the Presidency’s press and publicity unit.

He noted that though the National Budget has been presented early for the past four years, there are still a number of challenges to its timely implementation.

“There are a number of issues still in the process not least of which are quality staff, the rules understanding procurement itself and the rules and procedures,” he said.

The Finance Minister said the Government is still faced with private contractors who take on much more than they can afford.

Jordan said some suggestions were offered to the Permanent Secretaries to solve the issues encountered on a medium-term basis.

He added that the PSIP is very important in the national economy since it takes up a sizeable amount of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The public officers will meet again with the President within a month for a review.