It will be a leaner Christmas season for state agencies, government ministries and the public service as Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has warned them not to splurge. He said measures have been put in place to ensure there was no excessive spending.
Addressing supporters at a by-election meeting at the Rosewood carpark, Flamingo Boulevard South, Arima, on Friday night, he said the circumstances were different and Government could not behave “the same way.”
Rowley said: “We of the PNM have been given a very important job to do and the most important aspect of that job is to give you the best chance to have the best quality of life that this country can afford you under any circumstances.
“If the circumstances are difficult, then you can’t expect us to behave the same way.
“We have said to the public service and state enterprises that we don’t want any splurging...we don’t want any excess splurging for Christmas. We didn’t say don’t take part in Christmas or don’t enjoy Christmas, the word is splurge.”
He gave the assurance that the People’s National Movement Government “will not splurge.”
He said while there was expected to be merriment for the Christmas season by the public service, local government, state enterprises and ministries, measures would be put in place to ensure there was no excessive spending.
About the former administration led by Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the PM said it was splurging that got it into trouble and that it was a demonstration of greed in the country that was never before seen.
“Greed! Greed! That’s what got them into trouble.” He said if his Government continued on that path, then “something wrong with us.” He said his administration promised to keep the population informed and abreast about everything it did, whether it was good, bad or indifferent.
“Unfortunately, at this time much of the information we have to share with you doesn’t reflect too good on those who were there before but you need to know that because what you see us doing...it’s not because we don’t like children for Christmas or we don’t like to pay contractors or we don’t like to spend money...it’s because the circumstances demand a certain type of action and behaviour of the Government.”
Referring to the controversial Life Sport programme, Rowley said if the Public Service had intervened the way it should have, lives could have been saved.
He said: “It was last month that the matter was referred to the Public Service Commission and within a fortnight the permanent secretary was put to answer a number of charges. I am now advised that the permanent secretary has taken retirement.”
Rowley said the management level in the system had broken down because of misconduct which was entertained and encouraged by the previous government.
Cutbacks and reforms
No more buy out of leave for permanent secretaries:
• all buy out of leave for permanent secretaries ends on December 31;
• all permanent secretaries expected to go on leave on January 1, 2016 have to go;
• no more permanent secretaries to take instructions from ministers and award contracts.
Cuts in first class travel:
• PM instructed Cabinet to review entire use of first class travel by public officials;
• government has cut out “a whole set” of first class travel;
• not a perk of office for certain offices.
Use of vehicles:
• every minister has a vehicle available to him or her according to Salary Reviews Commission;
• no requirement to have special vehicle in office for ministers;
• last administration bought Porsches and rented Range Rovers, no more of that.
Reforms:
• whistleblower legislation will soon be enacted into law;
• local government reform coming;
• discussions to start on campaign finance reform.