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No organisational structure for Mining & Energy Ministry
BY ERICA VIRTUE, Observer writer virtuee@jamaicaobserver.com
Thursday, July 16, 2009
THREE months after Prime Minister Bruce Golding promoted James Robertson, and set up the Ministry of Mining and Energy, Permanent Secretary Marcia Forbes is lamenting the absence of an organisational structure.
Making her debut presentation to Public Administration and Appropriations Committee of Parliament, Forbes said failure to approve the structure of the ministry has prevented the hiring of staff.
"In fact, we moved from the Ministry of Mining and Telecommunications, without an approved structure, into the Ministry of Mining and Energy, with still not an approved structure.
"This is something that gives me grave concern because we are substantially below staff in every area and if the member of parliament could help me to get this to be addressed quickly, I will be eternally grateful."
Forbes said this in response to a question from committee member Dr Morais Guy (Opposition).
Robertson was promoted after the reshuffling of the Cabinet, which did not find a space for then energy minister, Clive Mullings who held the portfolio for energy, and Derrick Smith, who had responsibility for mining and telecommunications.
Robertson previously served as minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister.
Forbes said if the structure is approved, the bodies could be put in place ". and the work of the ministry can proceed as smoothly and as efficiently as possible".
And Forbes, in responding to committee member Ronald Thwaites (Opposition), said a part of the problem in the ministry had to do with timing.
"The ministry to my understanding has been desegregated quite a bit over recent times over the last several years. Posts are not clearly established.
Even as we speak, I am trying to get a handle on the exact posts that are under establishment for this new ministry, so it is work in progress; the ministry is three months old and even though I would like it to go quickly I understand the other demands that the Ministry of Finance faces," Forbes said.
Staff members, she added, have been working overtime to "keep things from falling apart".
Over to you Spindocta.....
BY ERICA VIRTUE, Observer writer virtuee@jamaicaobserver.com
Thursday, July 16, 2009
THREE months after Prime Minister Bruce Golding promoted James Robertson, and set up the Ministry of Mining and Energy, Permanent Secretary Marcia Forbes is lamenting the absence of an organisational structure.
Making her debut presentation to Public Administration and Appropriations Committee of Parliament, Forbes said failure to approve the structure of the ministry has prevented the hiring of staff.
"In fact, we moved from the Ministry of Mining and Telecommunications, without an approved structure, into the Ministry of Mining and Energy, with still not an approved structure.
"This is something that gives me grave concern because we are substantially below staff in every area and if the member of parliament could help me to get this to be addressed quickly, I will be eternally grateful."
Forbes said this in response to a question from committee member Dr Morais Guy (Opposition).
Robertson was promoted after the reshuffling of the Cabinet, which did not find a space for then energy minister, Clive Mullings who held the portfolio for energy, and Derrick Smith, who had responsibility for mining and telecommunications.
Robertson previously served as minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister.
Forbes said if the structure is approved, the bodies could be put in place ". and the work of the ministry can proceed as smoothly and as efficiently as possible".
And Forbes, in responding to committee member Ronald Thwaites (Opposition), said a part of the problem in the ministry had to do with timing.
"The ministry to my understanding has been desegregated quite a bit over recent times over the last several years. Posts are not clearly established.
Even as we speak, I am trying to get a handle on the exact posts that are under establishment for this new ministry, so it is work in progress; the ministry is three months old and even though I would like it to go quickly I understand the other demands that the Ministry of Finance faces," Forbes said.
Staff members, she added, have been working overtime to "keep things from falling apart".
Over to you Spindocta.....
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