‘My role is to support, not to be depended on’- Augustus J. U. Jaspert
During a media meet and greet yesterday August 29, 2017 at Government House with the newly appointed Governor, His Excellency Mr Augustus J. U. Jaspert, who has completed one week in office, said the issue of ensuring good governance is not a role for him alone but for everyone within the territory.
He said, “You all are a part of good governance and a healthy democracy is all of what you do. It’s also about the public and what they do and how they hold everybody into account and myself included.”
He continued, “It’s also about public service themselves and how public officials and public service themselves operate to the highest standard: efficient, effective and how they operate in the best way and those in position of power whether that’s me, elected officials and those who have certain responsibilities across the territory themselves hold to the highest standards.”
Furthermore, Governor Jaspert noted that what actually tests governance is “actually making sure that governance can be done collectively in terms of accountability, the right level of transparency, the right processes, fair procedures and integrity in all decision and those kinds of things,” adding that members of the community and persons in power can say “yes that was the right thing to do”.
He admitted that there might be some political differences within the government or the community but ultimately it should be a decision that can be upheld because it was the right thing to do and it was done in the right manner.
My role is to support, not to be depended on
In response to steps he would take if he notices that good governance is not taking place within any sector, he explained that he expects the local institutions to uphold good governance at all levels, adding that he will support and assist them where needed.
In addition, he commented that he will help to boost the institutions, however, if needs be his first step would be to question how they (institutions) are being supported locally rather than necessarily depending on the governor.
“The governor’s role is to try and support the whole system to be as effective as it can be rather than to make it a personal issue just for myself,” said Governor Jaspert.
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