Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697799334479.pdf (Dominica)
INTRODUCTION Let me embrace this opportunity on behalf of my government and my family to wish everyone a God fearing and Blessed 2015.

When we follow what is happening in other parts of the world, especially the Middle East, we cannot help but give God praise for his peace, mercy and protection.

I do urge that we continue to embrace each other, the presence of God and the peace and tranquility that we enjoy in this part of the world.

Invite everyone to observe a minute silence to pray for world peace.
Appreciation, praise and recognition are fundamental human needs that are essential to outstanding organizations such as the Public Service.

This ceremony affords the opportunity to do just that: to formally acknowledge you as individuals or as members of a team, for your performance, effort and contributions which have clearly been beyond normal expectations.

It is generally accepted that the Public Service is indispensable to national development and the key driver of economic growth and sustainability.
Your achievements to strengthening efficiency in your various sectors which will ultimately lead to a sustainable future for yourselves and the citizens of this country.

The presence of our distinguished guests and other well- wishers help crystalize our public acknowledgement of the significance placed on this Awards and Recognition significantly contributed have SPEAKING NOTES PUBLIC SERVICE DAY AWARDS AND RECOGNITION CEREMONY Page 1 Ceremony which motivation, appreciating the work of public officers.
rewarding diligence; is built on the central themes of and and valuing Studies on the psychology of praising others for their outstanding work confirm that when employees and their work are valued, among other things.

 Their productivity level rises  They are motivated to maintain or improve their performance  There is greater satisfaction and enjoyment of work.

Additionally, there are lower negative effects such as absenteeism and stress, and higher retention of quality employees.
Therefore, all of you nominees and those who will cup the top positions, should feel honoured, appreciated and a great sense of achievement for the attributes that are being rewarded today: efficiency, hard work, dedication, quality work and high performance, excellence, productivity, and professionalism.

These represent the very core values of the Public Service and you are encouraged to continue to pursue these values intelligently, consistently and with vigour.
I note that in 2012, the theme ‘Our Public Service, Transforming, Modernizing, Positively Changing’ confirmed your commitment, partnership, and loyalty to the task of SPEAKING NOTES PUBLIC SERVICE DAY AWARDS AND RECOGNITION CEREMONY Page 2 theme Independence building this country.

There was national ‘buy in’ because the 2014 ‘Our Nation Our Responsibility’ echoed a similar message.
This remains our mission and this year’s theme ‘An Efficient Service, A Sustainable Future’, is even more profound since it suggests that the positive changes achieved over the past two years lead us closer to achieving the goal of sustained growth and development.

The importance of this sustained growth and development is articulated in the 2014 to 2018 Growth and Social Protection Strategy (GSPS).
The priorities, namely o Sound fiscal policy and administrative reform, including creating an enabling environment for local private investment and the attraction of foreign direct investment; o Sectoral strategies for growth; o and Strategies for poverty reduction and social protection; are transformative in their approach and are guided by sound economic and environmental considerations.

The role that the Public Sector has, and will continue to play, is paramount.
As the primary government institution, you are tasked with the responsibility for designing and implementing innovative programmes, practices and strategies to transform these policies and the many challenges that the country faces into opportunities for SPEAKING NOTES PUBLIC SERVICE DAY AWARDS AND RECOGNITION CEREMONY Page 3 socio-economic development.

These challenges include achieving economic growth and development, poverty reduction, creating employment and reducing inequality.
efficiency focus on Fulfilling those demands as I outlined above, requires unrelenting and productivity.

Management pundits have theorized profusely on the merits of efficiency and its impact on cost and productivity.

Consequently, public sector modernization programmes and processes have been centred on cost reduction outcomes through improved service delivery processes and strategies.
Attaining sustainability requires a similar approach, since the ability to meet present and future needs implies that both the natural and human capital is effectively managed.

Hence, you are part of the Public Sector’s success or failure, and whether individually or as groups, we can all play a compelling role in improving efficiency.
We are required to be more discreet with the use of resources which can yield significant cost savings to direct extra funds towards investments, generating employment, improving services and infrastructure.

The effective management of resources ultimately translates into a better quality of life for you, your families and all Dominicans.
Now that I am wearing the two hats of Prime Minister and Minister for the Public Service, it is indeed the appropriate medium to single out the Establishment, Personnel and SPEAKING NOTES PUBLIC SERVICE DAY AWARDS AND RECOGNITION CEREMONY Page 4 Training Department (EPTD) for taking the lead in the creation of a responsive, professional and motivated Public Service.
Your untiring effort at championing the many initiatives aimed at improving efficiency in the Public Service has led to some measure of success in these areas:  The completion of a draft Training Policy and training and that will guide Training Plan development activities  Ongoing HR Audits all Ministries/Departments which seek to optimize the quantity and quality of staff to produce work and achieve desired outcomes.
for  Completion of the Customer Service Charter in selected Ministries and Departments  Introduction of ICT enabled programmes and services  Training and Development: The ever emerging demand of a highly technological, economic and social environment has made the demand for increased access and quality education inevitable.

Training and development activities therefore improving efficiency.
remain the catalyst for Through ongoing local training offered at the Public Service Training Centre, a total of 35 training sessions were conducted over the last two years, with 595 of you benefiting, at a cost of $56,510.00.

Many have benefited also from training provided by friendly governments.
SPEAKING NOTES PUBLIC SERVICE DAY AWARDS AND RECOGNITION CEREMONY Page 5 However, those successes could not have been gained without the cooperation, interest and participation of the line Ministries and Departments.

Therefore, it is important to mention and commend the collective responsibility of the entire Public Service in conducting and promoting the successful achievement of work.
As we focus on building on the gains we have achieved thus far, like you, I am very optimistic about the future; about reaping the benefits of:  Service delivery that is always professional, timely and rewarding  Mass reduction in public expenditure, poverty and unemployment  Value for money  The achievement a more effective machinery of government enhanced through the use of ICT’s  Public sector leadership that transcends the entire country  Strengthening strategic management At this juncture in the life of our country, we should all look forward to a Public Service where customer service, courtesies and professionalism are commonplace, resulting in sustained economic growth where we can produce more, generate more income and reduce or eliminate levels of inequality and unemployment.
SPEAKING NOTES PUBLIC SERVICE DAY AWARDS AND RECOGNITION CEREMONY Page 6 CONCLUSION In conclusion, I wish to reiterate the importance of recognition as a key success factor and the commitment of my Government to provide the required resources and support to continue the public recognition of outstanding talent, effort and achievement in the Public Sector.

Those who perform must be recognized, and their behaviour and results publicized and reinforced.
However, I will say publicly as well, that those who are less than fastidious in the execution of their duties, even after adequate coaching, counselling and guidance, will be identified and held accountable for retarding the progress that the Public Service needs to make in meeting its objectives.
To the supervisors, managers and everyone else, I urge that we execute our respective roles with diligence and dignity and continue to identify the channels through which innovation, leadership and management excellence are promoted and replicated.

Overall, the principle of employee recognition has the ripple effect of encouraging others, and improving the role, prestige and visibility of the Public service.
Once again, let me acknowledge the presence of our retirees and honorees as we celebrate this momentous occasion and SPEAKING NOTES PUBLIC SERVICE DAY AWARDS AND RECOGNITION CEREMONY Page 7 commend you for your dedication and commitment in service of the beloved citizens of our country.

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