The CIVIL SERVICE ASSOCIATION today sent a release to RTC News on the Provo Power Company disconnection which reads:
The recent disconnection of power by Provo Power Company (PPC) Ltd, to Government offices which took place from June 13, 2011 is an unfortunate occurrence. The disruption in power supply has affected several government departments including Primary schools, the Education Department, The Treasury and Engineering and Maintenance Services, all of whom provide critical services to the community. Several students attending government Primary schools on Providenciales were sent home this morning and a number of high school students who were in the process of sitting external examinations may have been affected by power cut to the Education Department. The continued power outage could have far reaching effect on the functioning of government departments and this in turn could result in significant losses in revenue amounting to millions of dollars.
The CSA wishes to state that this action taken by PPC merely reflects an ongoing debacle between PPC and the Interim Administration. The over the past year the Administration has made several policy changes to its financial management system which has resulted in the centralization of government finances. The changes in this system have resulted in the transfer of authority for final bill approval for bills over $5000, from Heads of Department and Permanent Secretaries to the Chief Financial Officer. This without a doubt has created much bureaucracy and inefficiency in the timely payment of bills to vendors like PPC.
The management council of the CSA wishes to state that all responsibility for settlement of major accounts (amounts in excess of $5000) rests with the office of the Chief Financial Officer and not with Heads of Departments and Permanent Secretaries of departments within the civil service. The CSA urges the administration to address the current situation to enable immediate restoration of vital services to the community.
Recommendations have previously been made by the CSA, towards improvement of operations of the Civil service, these recommendations, if followed and implemented would undoubtedly contribute to economic sustainability and more efficient and effective governance.
The CSA is calling on the Administration to address this problem of outstanding bills to PPC immediately and to put in place effective measures to prevent such embarrassment and suspension of critical and essential government services in the future.
CSA Management Council
