Dangerous transfer of PS

THE arbitrary transfer of Kurt Meyer as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education is another graphic example of the vindictiveness and high-handedess of successive PNM administrations.

It is also a dangerous and disturbing decision.

PS Meyer said it was difficult to process backpay for 37,000 teachers by Christmas because of insufficient accounts employees.

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley publicly scandalised Meyer without calling his name and characterised him as uncooperative and disrespectful.

Rowley brought in Arthur Suite, head of the public service, into the imbroglio and then used a constitutional provision to transfer Meyer.

The Government then assigned additional accounts employees to the Ministry of Education, meeting the need Meyer had previously identified.

Sources indicate that the task of preparing the backpay would have been more efficient and speedier if the Ministry’s accounts department had been digitalised.

If PNM Government trends hold, Meyer would become a black sheep in the public service, treated like a professional leper and sidelined from major authority and decision-making.

His only “sin” would be speaking truth to power and explaining the challenge in fulfilling a promise that was made without consultation with the professionals who would make it happen.

The Government has bypassed the Public Service Commission in this manufactured dispute.

The Rowley Administration had previously expressed a desire to scrap the service commission system, which was set up in 1962 to protect public officers from vindictive and oppressive governments.

The Government has also undermined and politicised several crucial independent institutions.

In addition, over the years, PNM administrations have short-circuited official procedures in treating with permanent secretaries and other senior public servants.
The announcement by Minister of Public Administration Allison West that promotion would now be based on merit opens the door for rampant politicisation of the system.
Political cronies could now be easily promoted ahead of experienced and knowledgeable colleagues.

Vindictiveness and bias could easily be institutionalised.

Since merit is a subjective consideration, officers could be expected to be fearful of speaking truth to power, lest they suffer a fate similar to Meyer — or worse.

First Prime Minister Dr. Eric Williams’ brutal banishment of senior and respected permanent secretaries Eugenio Moore, Dodderidge Alleyne and Frank Rampersad in the 1970s stands out as the most extreme cases of prime mimisterial abuse of power.

 Williams had also infamously said that when he speaks “not a damn dog bark.”
The three senior officers won their respective legal challenges to their suspensions.
But the arrogance of office and victimisation of independent operatives still exist.
PS Meyer is the latest victim.
Several others may follow, having their professional careers hijacked by partisan and self-serving politicians.
Equally disturbing is that proper decision-making could be severely compromised, a major setback for citizens.
It could pave the way for the PNMisation of the public service.