Rolle defends public sector following IDB study

Rolle defends public sector following IDB study
Minister with responsibility of the National Insurance Board (NIB), Brensil Rolle.

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – On the heels of comments made in an Inter-American Development Bank study, Minister of the Public Service Brensil Rolle on Sunday defended the efforts of the public service, but at the same time admitted that there is an ongoing and perennial need for public sector reform.

“The broader message of the report was on measures needed to improve weaknesses in the public sector, and to help make the sector more productive, effective and efficient,” Rolle said.

“The current administration is committed to improving the public service in order to better serve the Bahamian people. Indeed, this is a priority for the Minnis Administration.”

Rolle said the Bahamas Public Service has some of the more dedicated and productive citizens in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, and there are scores of public officers who have given a lifetime of outstanding service.

He noted, however, that unfortunately, as in many other areas of Bahamian life, there is a tendency to paint all members of any group with the same brush and the Public Service has often been an easy target.

“There is an ongoing and perennial need for public sector reform,” Rolle said. “Unfortunately, the last administration engaged in various poor practices, including the unnecessary and unprecedented hiring of more individuals than required in the public sector.”

Rolle said even as improvements are made, it is essential that the government acknowledge and celebrate the many fine and dedicated public officers who serve, protect and defend our country on a daily basis, including those in the uniformed branches who have been critical in reducing crime over the last year and a half.

“As Minister of the Public Service, I am also committed to ongoing reform in my ministry in order to better serve the Public Service and the Bahamian people,” Rolle said.

“Having spoken to the Prime Minister, Dr. Hubert Minnis on this matter, I take this opportunity to yet again express the gratitude of the Prime Minister and the Government to the many public officers who serve the common good and our Commonwealth with integrity and distinction.”