The Public Service of the Virgin Islands has charted a course to transform its operations following a series of strategic planning days.

Permanent Secretaries, constitutional and department heads, and senior officials participated in the sessions designed to develop and align the ministerial strategic priorities and the 2015 objectives with the outcome of delivering a high performing public sector.

During the planning days, critical priorities from the top managers’ level were aligned and cascaded to individual ministries. These priorities were then agreed upon and measurable objectives were set for each ministry.

The planning days are part of the change initiative being led by the Governor’s Group through the Office of the Deputy Governor.

His Excellency the Governor, Mr. John S. Duncan, OBE, speaking at the Governor’s Group planning day on March 19, addressed the core role of the Governor’s Group and its three main areas of responsibility, namely: Security, Justice and Good Governance.

Governor Duncan said the strategic objectives for the Governor’s Group for 2015 are, to provide support for the Governor in the execution of his constitutional responsibilities, and to ensure that the Police and the Department of Disaster Management are effective and have the means to carry out their functions in a sustainable way.

The Governor also stated that justice is to be carried out effectively, fairly, and within a coherent structure. He further added that on the subject of good governance, Government’s decisions are to be transparent and the democratic institutions of the Territory should be able to hold the executive and administration accountable.  He concluded that the public service must be effective and free from political interference.

Planning days were held by the Governor’s Group, the Office of the Premier, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour, the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of Communications and Works, the Ministry of Health and Social Development, the Ministry of Finance and Cabinet Office.

The Deputy Governor’s Office as part of the Governor’s Group is responsible for monitoring the quality of service delivery, and for developing and implementing public sector reform initiatives for greater efficiency and enhanced service delivery.