Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs of Ontario Canada Mr Fareed Amin calls on President Bharrat Jagdeo at the Office of the President yesterday.
GINA - Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs of Ontario, Canada, Fareed Amin is on a nine-day trip to Guyana to share valuable information on the topic, 'Public Sector Reform: the Ontario Experience'.
On Wednesday evening, the Guyanese-born official made a presentation at the Cheddi Jagan Lecture Theatre, Turkeyen Campus, University of Guyana.
In an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA) Minister Amin said that his experience in the public sector has been beneficial.
A 1983 graduate of the University of Guyana, Amin was trained in field planning. He taught at the University of Guyana for several years before migrating to Canada.
He started off as an Analyst Planner at the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing where he spent ten years.
"What I have learnt is that in an effort to achieve upward mobility you have to broaden your skills and venture out into what you are interested in," said Amin.
When asked if he could compare the public sector reform programme here to that of a developed country such as Canada, Amin noted that he has not seen the document, but has had some discussions with persons actively involved in the Public Sector arena.
"I think from the little I have heard, that some attempts are being made and these are steps in the right direction," Amin said.
He noted that it might not be the most aggressive steps, but that under the social, economic and political climate in Guyana, it is necessary to promote transformation incrementally.
Amin spoke of Guyana creating a number of public service entities to enhance public service delivery. He referred to the Revenue Agency, which is a component of the reform and he noted that most governments are heading in this direction.
"There seems to be the interest in pursuing the strategy that would ultimately transform the public sector into a more effective and efficient public service," said Amin.
He came to Guyana on his own initiative, and permission was granted him to speak about public sector reform.
When asked if there would be any follow up meetings, Amin responded that interest has been shown by members within the public service and personnel of the University of Guyana. Several suggestions were made, and he is to follow up on some of them.
Although he has not been able to observe the technological aspect of the public service here in Guyana, Amin commented that some elements of the infrastructure and investment are useful from an information management and information technology point of view.
"The computer centre, I understand, is now creating some opportunities for distance learning. There is a much bigger computer centre that will be commissioned in the near distant future," said Amin.
Yesterday, the visiting official was scheduled to deliver a lecture at the Tain Campus of the University of Guyana. Amin will leave the country on Tuesday, November 11.