I have been told that in certain Ministries, there is a blantant disrespect for young Ministers/Junior Ministers. The older "I been working for government and I done see governments come and go and I still here" workers have little to NO respect for them.

Unfortunately, most times these Ministers have had no experience in how the government system works. Some tread in humbly with a view to learn and watch before they make decisions, others think that because they are now the HNIC, they run the show.

It has been said that the Ministers, right after election, act like they "know it all" and therefore the Permanent Secretaries and such, let them walk the plank by themselves.

There used to be a time when the Minister was the most educated one in the bunch. NOW...................everyone is educated and even those who are not, have an opinion, and refuse to let anyone take advantage of them (Minister of not), lest they go to the press and claim victimization.

What do you think? You know how old you are, would you like to see the government filled with folks YOUR age? I mean, right here in this BI constituency, there are the educated and not so educated, smart and not so smart, the wise/stupid, the young/old, etc...yet we all bring something to the table. We call out, or, are CALLED out when we misspeak. We have some respect for some of us and not really any for some others.

Can young MPs make a mark for themselves..........without their parties?

Facts, I have had similar convos with long time civil servants who lament that young people dont view the civil service as a profession or career path.

But how could they when attitudes such as, "I seen plenny gubment come and go and I still here attitude." It is a very defiant attitude very confrontatinal. How do you expect someone to come into the service at upper management level and progress and succeed when those whom they are suppose to be leading having a defiant attitude.

On the other hand, many serving PS employees feel vicitimized and under appreciated. We have to understand that each Ministry has its own culture and cliques, those who are rewarded and those what are not, those who are rightfully penalized/rewarded and those that are not.

What needs to happen is a full and complete revision of GENERAL ORDERS and a re-organisation of our bureaucratic system. It is ridiculous that each time government changes top personnel gets shifted as well, which means that a new culture and standard is introduced to a Ministry atleast every five years (more frequently in some cases). This is demoralizing to staff and only breeds contempt and creates stagnation within the service.

We need to re-develop the Permanent Secretary Training programme and go out a recruit early; the best and the brightest for the Public service. These jobs should not be political appointments, favors or rewards for loyalty.

Young minister will continue to face the same problems and young person entering the service faces until the service becomes a professional service and not a political one.

You know what facts this may sound harsh but it is time for these Ministers or Junior Ministers to demand the respect that comes with their position as the one in charge or start firing dey azz... If they want to scream victimization let them.. It will fall on deaf ears because everyone does it weather it is justifiably so or not...:cutie:

ps some of dese gubment workers dem just friggen rude point blank..:hammer:

Ok, this is a stupid question, but what in fact do the Permanent (and I guess Deputy permanent) secretaries do anyway? How are theu supposed to assist the minister and help in running the ministry effectively?

Ok, this is a stupid question, but what in fact do the Permanent (and I guess Deputy permanent) secretaries do anyway? How are theu supposed to assist the minister and help in running the ministry effectively?
They run the ministry, remember ministers are appointed and are disappointed,hence the word permanent, they are there forever.

Ok, this is a stupid question, but what in fact do the Permanent (and I guess Deputy permanent) secretaries do anyway? How are theu supposed to assist the minister and help in running the ministry effectively?
The Permanent Secretary is in charge of the administrative affairs of their assigned ministry. Some PS's write minister's speeches but more often than not that is assigned to the deputy PS to handle. The larger the ministry the more bureacracy to be managed.

Facts, I have had similar convos with long time civil servants who lament that young people dont view the civil service as a profession or career path.

But how could they when attitudes such as, "I seen plenny gubment come and go and I still here attitude." It is a very defiant attitude very confrontatinal. How do you expect someone to come into the service at upper management level and progress and succeed when those whom they are suppose to be leading having a defiant attitude.

On the other hand, many serving PS employees feel vicitimized and under appreciated. We have to understand that each Ministry has its own culture and cliques, those who are rewarded and those what are not, those who are rightfully penalized/rewarded and those that are not.

What needs to happen is a full and complete revision of GENERAL ORDERS and a re-organisation of our bureaucratic system. It is ridiculous that each time government changes top personnel gets shifted as well, which means that a new culture and standard is introduced to a Ministry atleast every five years (more frequently in some cases). This is demoralizing to staff and only breeds contempt and creates stagnation within the service.

We need to re-develop the Permanent Secretary Training programme and go out a recruit early; the best and the brightest for the Public service. These jobs should not be political appointments, favors or rewards for loyalty.

Young minister will continue to face the same problems and young person entering the service faces until the service becomes a professional service and not a political one.

You have made some excellent points!

Remember the PS has to be yes minister ppl - if they are not "appointed" and the "young turks" PS come in and start making independent decisions ya know the ministers will be up in arms or better yet in a tizzy!

They run the ministry, remember ministers are appointed and are disappointed,hence the word permanent, they are there forever.


and that is exactly how they act. like they ga be there for-friggin-ever.
i say, run the civil service/government agencies like corporations. sit down & realize the corporations mission & vision....and carry that out efficiently. a change in government shouldn't change what the agency is about. the only thing that should change is the name of the "CEO"/(Junior) Minister.

k thanks.

But LL, every minster (junior or not) wants to run the thing their way, and I think that that is what frustrates the people below more than the actual work.

k thanks.
But LL, every minster (junior or not) wants to run the thing their way, and I think that that is what frustrates the people below more than the actual work.

I hear u but do u think it frustrates them or is it that
Bahamians just hate change... You always hear them say "I been working her for----- years and this is how we always did it"... They want to do things the way that they have always done it and they ain't hearing change...:cutie:

Ok, this is a stupid question, but what in fact do the Permanent (and I guess Deputy permanent) secretaries do anyway? How are theu supposed to assist the minister and help in running the ministry effectively?
The Permanent Secretary......He is in fact the vital link between the political directorate and the bureaucracy, with respect to accurate interpretation of policy guidelines and timely pursuance of government programmes. Succinctly stated, he is the Ministry's programme mover.

Permanent Secretaries must assume major responsibilities for ensuring the provision of effective administrative structures, as well as adequate personnel complements, capable of motivating the system to the highest professional standards. This role is even more significant, when viewed within the context of the increasing pressures upon Permanent Secretaries and the expanding number and complexity of issues falling within their portfolios.

They must inter alia, coordinate the management of several sectors and find solutions to many difficulties, including conflict resolution, often on a daily basis. There is also a major training component in their overall role.
In addition to developing younger administrators(Ministers" Garfield's interpretation), they must assist experienced, specialist personnel to make the transition from technical functions to policy leaderships of top level administration. UNDERSTANDING GOVERNMENT by Lois Wells-Symonette

I have been told that in certain Ministries, there is a blantant disrespect for young Ministers/Junior Ministers. The older "I been working for government and I done see governments come and go and I still here" workers have little to NO respect for them.
Unfortunately, most times these Ministers have had no experience in how the government system works. Some tread in humbly with a view to learn and watch before they make decisions, others think that because they are now the HNIC, they run the show.
It has been said that the Ministers, right after election, act like they "know it all" and therefore the Permanent Secretaries and such, let them walk the plank by themselves.
There used to be a time when the Minister was the most educated one in the bunch. NOW...................everyone is educated and even those who are not, have an opinion, and refuse to let anyone take advantage of them (Minister of not), lest they go to the press and claim victimization.
What do you think? You know how old you are, would you like to see the government filled with folks YOUR age? I mean, right here in this BI constituency, there are the educated and not so educated, smart and not so smart, the wise/stupid, the young/old, etc...yet we all bring something to the table. We call out, or, are CALLED out when we misspeak. We have some respect for some of us and not really any for some others.
Can young MPs make a mark for themselves..........without their parties?

Are`they not smart, stupid and uneducated or are their "gaps" actually your "blind spots" and incongruencies!!! Das strange doe. . .I been here on BI since 2005. . .I never see dem people ya talk bout here!!:hammer:

I agree. . .dere be a few "pain in da azzes" but not smart, uneducated and stupid is a far fetch notion even fer da worse of us round here!!!

Are`they not smart, stupid and uneducated or are their "gaps" actually your "blind spots" and incongruencies!!! Das strange doe. . .I been here on BI since 2005. . .I never see dem people ya talk bout here!!:hammer:
I agree. . .dere be a few "pain in da azzes" but not smart, uneducated and stupid is a far fetch notion even fer da worse of us round here!!!
i guess dem types dont kno how 2 use der cpu

What do you think? You know how old you are, would you like to see the government filled with folks YOUR age? I mean, right here in this BI constituency, there are the educated and not so educated, smart and not so smart, the wise/stupid, the young/old, etc...y

speak for yourself :shaky:

I have been told that in certain Ministries, there is a blantant disrespect for young Ministers/Junior Ministers. The older "I been working for government and I done see governments come and go and I still here" workers have little to NO respect for them.
Unfortunately, most times these Ministers have had no experience in how the government system works. Some tread in humbly with a view to learn and watch before they make decisions, others think that because they are now the HNIC, they run the show.
It has been said that the Ministers, right after election, act like they "know it all" and therefore the Permanent Secretaries and such, let them walk the plank by themselves.
There used to be a time when the Minister was the most educated one in the bunch. NOW...................everyone is educated and even those who are not, have an opinion, and refuse to let anyone take advantage of them (Minister of not), lest they go to the press and claim victimization.
What do you think? You know how old you are, would you like to see the government filled with folks YOUR age? I mean, right here in this BI constituency, there are the educated and not so educated, smart and not so smart, the wise/stupid, the young/old, etc...yet we all bring something to the table. We call out, or, are CALLED out when we misspeak. We have some respect for some of us and not really any for some others.
Can young MPs make a mark for themselves..........without their parties?

I look at it differently because young minister really have no idea what to do in some of these government dept.Were as the permament secretaries as been at it longer,they should work together to get the job done they are hired to do for the Bahamian PEOPLE and stop this becking foolishness.As professional they should show EACH other respect weather they are young or old.ITS not about who is in charge but getting the job done quickly and right.
and sharing the praises from the people together.