THE Public Service Commission has embarked on nationwide fact finding meetings to ensure that Government departments are capacitated to successfully implement the devolution programme.
In an interview after a meeting with Matabeleland South provincial heads in Gwanda yesterday, deputy chairperson of the Public Service Commission Dr Nomathemba Ndiweni said effective service delivery is key in the success of the devolution agenda.
Dr Ndiweni said the commission is working to ensure that vacant posts that exist within the provincial devolution structure are filled in timeously.
According to findings by the Public Service Commission, as at August 31 its vacancy rate was at 11 percent nationwide. The vacancy rate for senior management posts which includes deputy directors right up to chief directors was at 33 percent. “The high vacancy rate is something that we are addressing. It’s not conducive in carrying out Government work that needs to be done be it in devolution or other area.
“A high vacancy rate is disabling and we are trying by all means to get as much money as we can from Treasury. We are waiting for Treasury concurrence in allocating resources towards salaries of workers that are needed to fill in some of the vacant posts.
“We have visited this province to understand how the devolution is taking place. Matabeleland South is seemingly on course in implementation of devolution programme but there are some areas where they need to be assisted by the Public Service Commission and Treasury in particular Treasury concurrence for the posts that need to be filled. In order for work to be done posts have to be filled. The Devolution programme was proclaimed by Government and hence we need we need to support it and play out part in ensuring its success.”
She said there was also need to expedite release of funds when budgets have been approved.
Dr Ndiweni said engagement with Matabeleland South stakeholders had revealed a serious shortage of residential and working space.
She said her team had been deployed to conduct fact finding meetings in Matabeleland South, Matabeleland North and Bulawayo Provinces to hear the challenges faced by Government workers in order to come up with solutions.
“As PSC we carry out recruitment and training through our Public Service Academy. This training is important so they can refocus and become citizen centric so that Government services are provided to the people as quickly and effectively as possible.
“We are advocating for a culture change within the civil service so that the civil servants render effectively service delivery to the citizens of the country,” she said.
Dr Ndiweni said the commission now has a new data base in which it can select individuals to fill key posts but the hindering factor was the unavailability of funds
She said after conducting meetings nationwide, the PSC will then compile a detailed report and Treasury will be engaged to avail funds. She said the target was to ensure that key posts are filled as quickly as possible.
Heads of Government who spoke during the meeting said they need to be capacitated with resources and manpower. They also said limited accommodation for workers and office space was crippling their operations. – The Herald
