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Civil servants must come forward with issues to be addressed - Gaskin

"It’s time for all of us to come together not only for the government services but for all the services of this country also those outside the civil service."Deputy Financial Secretary and past president of the Virgin Islands Civil Service Association (VICSA) Mr Wendell M. Gaskin. Photo: VINO
Mr Gaskin chose the occasion of the CSA Forum held on May 24, 2013 at Maria's by the Sea to speak his mind as he was prompted by the poor turnout of participants of members and other invitees at the Forum. Photo: VINO
Mr Gaskin chose the occasion of the CSA Forum held on May 24, 2013 at Maria's by the Sea to speak his mind as he was prompted by the poor turnout of participants of members and other invitees at the Forum. Photo: VINO
Some members of VICSA among the scant audience. Photo:VINO
Some members of VICSA among the scant audience. Photo:VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - "Here in the BVI we have a problem in terms of election, a very big problem. Everybody elects people to office and then they stand behind, way behind in a vacuum, they don't want to come up front and say you not representing me properly or what the issues are," Deputy Financial Secretary and past president of the Virgin Islands Civil Service Association (VICSA) Mr Wendell M. Gaskin told public servants recently.

Mr Gaskin chose the occasion of the "CASA Forum" which was held on May 24, 2013 at Maria's by the Sea to speak his mind as he was so prompted by the poor turnout of participants of members and other invitees at the Forum.

"Instead they wait for something to happen...That can't happen anymore," He continued. Mr Gaskin noted that the BVI Civil service association is focused and committed to representing every civil servant in the organisation and others.

He said the executive body of VICSA saw the importance of a body that is willing to speak for those who can't represent themselves. "The civil service can be as strong as the people who are civil servants fighting the executive officers"

He challenged those present to return to their office and have serious talks with their colleagues to have them understand the importance of the organisation and the need for then to attend similar forum and support the work of VICSA.

"I am pleading with you, I beseech and [am] begging you to go back to your respective offices and tell them we need your input, we need your participation and we need you to be active in our organisation." 

Mr Gaskin noted that as a long serving member of VICSA he has never lost a case against the Public Service Commission (PSC), the very reason why persons especially those with grievances should not hesitate to come forward and be a part of the organisation. "My record is good and sometimes they need somebody to champion their cause.

He emphasized the importance of persons breaking the habit of standing at the back with a silent tone of voice and expecting to be successful on the job with a comfortable environment.

"It’s time for all of us to come together, not only for the government services but for all the services of this country, also those outside the civil service," he stressed. 

Gaskin made it clear that at the time of making the statement he was not doing so in his capacity as Deputy Financial Secretary but was speaking on his own behalf and as him being a member of VICSA. "So my views are my few and, as I always say, will always stay as my views."

According Gaskin, he feels the Virgin Islands is at a crossroad and that there are very serious issues, which are not being attended to because of what is being said on the online media.

At that stage he was referring to a blogger who had commented on a published story saying, "they get elected so long and the ain't doing nothing."

Persons are said to be approaching the BVICSA mainly when they have issues of salary to be addressed. "There are more issues than salary to be addressed," Mr Gaskin remarked.

There are said to be issues of security in the building that need to be addressed.

Mr Gaskin also alleged that there are a lot of females that are affected by serious "domestic issues" that are dominant in government buildings, "and the security officers are powerless to do anything. It is time that we speak out collectively to address the situation."

Another issue that was said to be prevalent in Government buildings is that of the absence of proper ventilation and the absence of air conditioning units. "We have a very serious problem with health Insurance," Mr Gaskin also added.

18 Responses to “Civil servants must come forward with issues to be addressed - Gaskin”

  • REGULAR CIVIL SERVANT (27/05/2013, 09:47) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    allyuh really have no shame yuh know boy when civil servants come to ayo nothing is done! pluas gaskin tis NDP
  • critic (27/05/2013, 09:56) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yeah! so he could carry news to the ministers and then the person/persons victimized?
  • enough (27/05/2013, 10:20) Like (22) Dislike (1) Reply

    While I agree with some of what he is saying, I don't want to hear from this disrespectful, loud & foul mouth co....pt fool who only looks out for his interest & some of the NDP but none of no one else.

    • rattie (27/05/2013, 12:15) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      I love my country and working for government with all my heart and would die defending it but I am discourage with how the government workers was treated after the 2011 elections….where was Gaskin and the CSA?
  • ------------ (27/05/2013, 10:41) Like (32) Dislike (20) Reply
    NDP NEEDS TO GO!
    SO WE CAN ONCE AGAIN BE PROUD OF THE BVI!
    WE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE ARE ALREADY PROUD OF TOBAGO!
    AN ENORMOUS WIN OF 12 - 0~! AND GREANDA A 15-0 WIN LET'S DO THIS THING IN THE BVI YALL
  • Sick of the politics (27/05/2013, 11:30) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply

    G.....n is a full NDP & every public servant knows this because he doesn't hide it. He has allegedly caused many public servants to be victimized by the elected NDP Ministers through his bringing & carrying of malicious news to them about the public service. G.....n is a dis-service to the Civil Service. The D...G is even worse than him so the Civil Service can never get any due process with these two around coupled with their NDP being the elected government of the day. As for H...E that man seems to be afraid of them & the NDP.

  • Help Governor (27/05/2013, 11:32) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    Governor please get up & help us as you should be doing from these NDP & your deputy who is an NDP. The word on the street is that you also afraid of these NDP. Please Governor get up & help us the civil service to get a fair deal & free from unnecessary lies & victimization.
  • depts (27/05/2013, 11:44) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    wher wre gaskin when the NDP was sending home all dem dey think waz VIP?
    • links (27/05/2013, 14:19) Like (2) Dislike (88) Reply
      Name one civil servant that was sent home by NDP. just name one. lol... liar.
  • waste of time (27/05/2013, 12:15) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply

    G@s..K n is a waste of 9 months with no interest in what he has said in his statement. He is one who champion for his cause and the NDP. He is loud and nothing happen. He was wrong to be put where he is now and right to get out and go back where he was, Internal Audit.

    We need NDP to go and I mean ALL of them even the Dr........ Not because the opposition is not asking him questions in the house but he is a silent killer and is killing this country with his dangerous moves accommodating the RICH and ignoring the poor.

    NDP have to GO!!!

  • ABC (27/05/2013, 14:38) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply

    Had someone else been chairing that meet the hall would have been full and running over. No body has any respect for G@s...K. He is buisy telling us that difficut days are ahead but at the same time he has just hired the P0rt's Di.....r's wife and placed her in his Ministry as a senior officer. Where is the Deputy Governor or the Financial Secretary. These people are for who they are for.

  • Disinterested (27/05/2013, 18:14) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    POW, explain to the readers how you separate your role as Deputy Financial Secretary and member of CSA. You cannot. Civil servants need to stay away from politics and deliver services to public regardless of the public's political affiliation. Civil servants need to do their politicking at the ballot. Political patronage is too rampant for any hope of this happening.

    We are in a closed loop with no way out unless their is a political renaissance, for whatever party is in power their supporters will feed at the trough and suck on the breast until there is nothing left. Political disharmony is ruining the territory.

    Financial services is under heavy fire from external forces and tourism is threading water yet the political divide is widening. The BVI is stranded in the ocean seas and drifting without engine or sail or oars or means of communicating ashore for help. God help us!

    Before one can effectively lead anyone, one has to first earn the trust, respect and confidence of those being led. The DFS appear to command none of these elements.
  • Jamdown (27/05/2013, 21:55) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply

    First he needs to know how to talk to employees and ministers. He has no respect for anyone and for someone in his position he needs to be humble an learn manners. He talks about everyone (including his NDP party). One would not imagine he backs them how he talks negative about them. He is a sorry excuse for a fin..... man...

    • @ Jamdown (30/05/2013, 07:30) Like (0) Dislike (93) Reply
      You all jealous fool keep off Gaskin. He helps people and has always stood up for civil servants. He got many of you all out of trouble and he is a good man and a leader! BAM
  • nbc (29/05/2013, 00:10) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    Even Steve Wonder can see that this man has pushed aside Mr. Smith and is running the Min. of Finance. He is now telling the Treasury who to pay and who not to pay. He now controlls the Port Authority with his Detroit friend and his new Deputy. Where the hell is the Premier or the Deputy Governor in all of this. It is sad that this man can hardly balance a cheque book but he controls the Territory's finances.
    • @ NBC (30/05/2013, 07:32) Like (0) Dislike (62) Reply
      Stop tell lie on the man. He is very professional and continues to assist both the public and civil servants. One thing I like about him is he is A ACTION MAN AND IF HE SAYS IT WILL BE DONE! HE WILL DO IT!!!!


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