HAMILTON
CUSTOMERS CAN expect better service when they do business with the country's public sector organisations, says Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Carlton Davis.
The cabinet secretary said Tuesday that there have been significant changes in the public sector aimed at providing customers with better value for their money.
"The changes have been driven by a redefinition of the role of the state," Dr. Davis said during the public sector awards ceremony at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston.
He said other reasons for the change include fiscal austerity and the impact of globalisation.
Dr. Davis also noted that there had been a shift of emphasis from process to results and added focus on performance measurement. "We are reforming the public service sector, with new systems and new techniques, but we are trying to do so by holding on to the values that characterise society," he said.
HEARTENED MOVE
Public Defender Howard Hamilton, the chief judge for the competition, said he was heartened to see agencies of Government improve delivery of service to their customers.
Noting that some areas, such as attitude, needed improvement, he said the challenges can be significantly reduced if agencies are more consistent with the information given to the public. He said staff should also be properly trained to serve customers.
The competition, which started in 2001 with 18 organisations, has this year increased to 60, with 33 more preparing to get involved.
The Prime Minister's award (in the multiple office location category) for Best Customer Service Agency and a cash prize of $250,000 went to the National Housing Trust. In the single location category,
the Administrator General's Department copped the prize.
