By Shermain Bique-Charles
[email protected]
In a forceful declaration that has sent shockwaves through the halls of parliament on Thursday, Prime Minister Gaston Browne issued a stark warning to public servants: “Heads will roll.”
This statement underscores a growing frustration with a perceived lack of diligence among government employees.
The Prime Minister’s comments followed notable changes within the government, as two senior officials were recently ousted from their positions.
Rosa Greenaway, the former Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education, was transferred to another ministry, and Aldin Crump, the former Director of Public Works, was removed—Crump notably reassigned to a new role overseeing the airport runway project.
“There is a lot of lethargy within the public sector, especially among low-level staff,” Browne stated with palpable urgency.
“Let me say that as of now, heads are going to roll; we have had ten years protecting incompetence in this country; it is finished.”
His comments reflect a decisive pivot from a previously lenient approach to workforce accountability.
While addressing members of Parliament, Browne made it clear that the days of tolerance for underperformance are over.
“If we don’t push public sector workers to perform, then you are going to get all ill-treatment,” he warned. “I have gone the extra mile in protecting them, but that benevolence is done. So, I am signaling to public servants: do your job or suffer the consequences.”
The Prime Minister emphasized that the soft-hand approach that has characterized governance in recent years will no longer prevail.“
I don’t want to see anyone lose their work, but when you are frustrating government efforts and feel you can take political action to undermine the government in the interest of the Opposition, is it really serving the public?” he questioned firmly.
In a call to arms for the public servants, Browne urged all to step up and take responsibility for their roles, stating, “This is not a threat. All I am saying is that this inadequacy that has gone unnoticed will no longer happen.”
As the government navigates this critical juncture, eyes will be on the response from public servants and the ensuing impact on government operations. The Prime Minister’s message is clear: the time for complacency is over, and accountability is now the order of the day.
Why don’t you shake up your administration? They are not performing well, so the ones below them cannot either. Shake up your ministers.
Move to the front of the class Antigua Surf. The boss doing shake-ups but not shaking up his own admin. Smh
As you should Mr. PM. These people who has a lack of interest in jobs, get rid of them. People in private jobs are working hard and still getting fired because management refuse to see their hard work. So you can dismiss those who truly ain’t working
A them need fu shake or get to hell out.
Money sweet.
They are gaston toy people
This dude! Wow! Does he ever take responsibility for anything? It’s always someone else’s fault. He changed laws to make piracy in the twentieth century legal and now Julia come for she boat,it’s UPP fault; the teachers can’t get what’s justly owed to them, PAY; it’s the technicians fault, when he controls the public purse. All of his ministers are incompetent, arrogant misfits,none more so that the minister of public works,his spouse, yet Crump takes the fall for HIS and HER incompetence. 10 years have passed and we the public have NEVER seen audited reports of every governmental department; he wraps up a budget presentation prematurely, to hide his blatant incompetence and cover for his inept cabinet. Oh Antigua, you have sunk so low to become a global embarrassment.
Y’all heard the man….shape up or ship up!!!! Truth be told, we are all tired of incompetent people with bad attitudes, excelling in mediocrity while on the public dime. If we are to be a better nation excellence ( or damn near close to it) must be the standard. Nepotism, party affiliated created positions and hirings and friendship appointments must come to an end. Hire people who are highly qualified for a position not some dunce who’s appointed out of favor.
People like cutie chet.
A matter a fact all a them fraid the dog.
Tomuch to gain to loose in d ay.
I don’t always agree with you, but good for you. It is time to get rid of these sick people who have been infecting your ministry with laziness
His comments sent shockwaves? Come on now that’s a bit of an exaggeration. After all that’s not the first time he’s made such a declaration