NDP destroyed the Public Works Dept - 2013 Report
It left the Department virtually useless according to a report laid on the Table at the First Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Second House of Assembly on November 10, 2014 by Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (R4).
PWD staff removed & placed in the MC&W
On page 5 of the 2013 Annual Report the Department Director Jeffrey M. Skelton wrote “the human Resources Manager was reassigned to our parent Ministry to fill in for their Human Resources Manager who was also reassigned. The reassignment left us without needed leadership in the Human Resources Unit and held us back from effectively performing major human resources initiatives that were planned for 2013 such as succession planning and budget planning…”
In making the case on how the NDP Government destroyed the PWD Director Skelton said, “One of the two Quantity Surveyor positions was reassigned to our parent ministry as well. Another senior position leaving the department meant we had to adjust.”
He continued in the report that “an Architect was placed in the Quantity Survey Unit to assist with the work load so as to not over burden the only Quantity Surveyor in the department.”
On Page 6 of the report the PWD Director complained again about yet another senior officer being removed from his Department by the Ministry of Communications and Works.
“The Senior Planning Officer was also reassigned to our parent ministry. Reassignment left us without an officer to lead very important annual activities such as the budget, updating of the disaster plan and completing the department’s annual report.”
Another challenge the Department faced in 2013 was not having two critical management level positions within the Department filled.
The Deputy Director (Engineering) remains vacant which according to the report “has caused a continued strain on the Director, as he has been forced to also assume additional duties in the absence of a Deputy Director of Engineering.”
In addition, the Structural Engineer position also remained vacant for a number of years and despite it being advertised, “the salary offered is low for this post…” the report stated.
Outside of the Ministry headed by the Minister for Communications and Works Hon Vanterpool taking the staff of the Department resulting in the department being destroyed, there were other issues of office accommodations, hazardous allowances not being paid, staff salaries not comparable internationally, lack of customized/available employee development opportunities, and inadequate amount of parking for visitors and staff.
Speaking to our news room this morning a former Acting Director of the Public Works Department who did not want to be named said “these senior staff could not be transferred unless it was in consultation and had the approval of the Minister of Communications and Works…..one thing for sure Works Ministers keep their eyes on the PWD…that Department is the hub of their activities….”
It is unclear why the Minister agreed to the transfer of so many senior officers from the Department or what role they are now playing at the Ministry of Communications and Works resulting in the destruction of the Department.
Under the new constitution of 2007 all Ministers of Government are responsible for the Department under their portfolio.
Calls by this news site to Minister Vanterpool’s mobile phone went unanswered. When we called the office of the acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communications and Works Mr Anthony S. McMaster, we were told that he was out at a meeting and we were directed to leave a message.
24 Responses to “NDP destroyed the Public Works Dept - 2013 Report”
Duncan blind like a bat! OR! He's in on all the s....es.