Public Service Appellate Tribunal plays vital role in governance of the Public Service -Minister Harmon says at dedication ceremony

Georgetown, Guyana – (November 17, 2017) Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon said that the dedication of the Guyana Public Service Appellate Tribunal is a historic event given the important role that the institution plays in the governance of the Public Service. Speaking at the official dedication ceremony, which was held today at the Tribunal’s Brickdam office, the Minister said that it is viewed within the context of the importance that President David Granger and his administration places on the role of an efficient Public Service for the effective delivery of myriad services to the citizenry.

“This function of the Public Service can only be effectively realised on the basis of complete integrity and without fear, favour, partiality or prejudice and delivered by a cadre of Public Servants, who are guided by the principle of administrative neutrality; that is, with devotion for the success of every lawfully elected administration,” he said.

Further, he said, in order for the Public Service to deliver this mandate “it has to be established firmly on the basis of merit, transparency and justice with the full assurance of protection against any form of victimisation or discrimination… The essential role of the Public Service Appellate Tribunal is to provide a mechanism for redress, against any perceived wrongful action, to enable public servants to discharge their duties fearlessly, confident that they are protected against any form of victimisation or illegal sanction for doing so”.

Also delivering remarks at the ceremony, Permanent Secretary, Department of the Public Service, Ministry of the Presidency, Mr. Reginald Brotherson commended the efforts being undertaken by the Registrar, Ms. Amoura Giddings and her personnel, but said that his major focus would be the ensuring that the entire Public Service develops the capacity and leadership to deliver its services effectively.

“One of the things that we want to do in the Public Service is to restore the brilliance. Every public servant is entitled to redress. They have redress through the Public Service Appellate Tribunal following all the legal requirements coming from the Public Service Commission; they have redress to the office of the Permanent Secretary… and every Permanent Secretary is expected to deliver on what is necessary in the Public Service,” he said.

After being out of operation for more than two decades, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, President Granger swore in the three-member Public Service Appellate Tribunal at a ceremony held at State House. The team, which is led by retired Justice Nandram Kissoon, includes Attorney-at-Law, Ms. Abiola Wong-Inniss and Mr. Winston Browne. Attorney-at-Law, Ms. Amoura Giddings was sworn in as the Registrar of the Tribunal on Wednesday, October 11, 2017.

First Vice President of the Guyana Public Service Union, Ms. Dawn Gardner and Ombudsman of Guyana, retired Justice Winston Patterson also attended the ceremony.