PM Harris To Civil Service: “we Are Better Together”

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 20, 2015 (SKNIS): The message resounds clearly from the platform of the newly elected administration in St. Kitts-Nevis that there will be no victimization of public servants. On his second day in office, new prime minister, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris gave this assurance during his first meeting with permanent secretaries and other senior officials today (February 20).
 
Prime Minister Harris said the civil service must be able to adjust to change so that the services to the public continue to be administered effectively. “This new government has a mandate and we want this mandate to be implemented expeditiously, carefully, thoughtfully and honestly,” he stressed. “The fundamental pillar on which we rely will be you the dedicated civil service who have a duty to implement the policies of this new administration…. There will be no victimization. We are committed to that. We expect you to do your part to ensure that we are able to fulfill our mandate which we intend to do very vigorously.”
Head of the Public Service, Elvis Newton echoed the prime minister’s sentiments, and in urging everyone to be patient and professional during this transitionary period, said that “The successful implementation of government’s policies is dependent on the support, assistance and willingness of competent public officers and our interactions with our policy makers.”

Prime Minister Harris lauded Mr. Newton as an exemplary figure in civil service because of his quick and diligent facilitation of the transition ceremonies and ended by quoting the late Professor Rex Nettleford in reaffirming the spirit of compassion and togetherness in moving the new government forward. “At one seminar, [Professor Nettleford] said to us ‘all we have is us’ and I believe that is an entreaty to a kinder gentler society... We are citizens of a beautiful country deserving to prosper in this the land of our birth…and out of that we develop a mantra that we the people of St. Kitts and Nevis are better together and we are together for better. ”