Enill: Globalisation forces Govt to restructure its institutions

Advancing globalisation has compelled Government to rethink the way it conducts business and demands that it changes the way it has organised and structured its institutions, said Senator Conrad Enill, Minister in the Ministry of Finance. The changes of which he spoke will have to be in  the business processes which these institutions utilise, and the nature of resources, particularly their human resource.

Speaking at the Customs and Excise Annual Long Service Awards on Saturday night, Senator Enill said: “Our institutions can no longer continue to dispense their services in the traditional manner. The world in general, and this country in particular, has evolved at a pace and a rate, while many of our systems and our people have not been able to respond.” He asked the gathering whether they were happy with the efforts they have made in improving the service deliveryed to citizens, based on a changing and competitive new environment. He said the mere fact that these institutions significantly impact the prospects of economic growth and development, means that they must be continuously improved.  To do otherwise would place this country’s aspirations in serious jeopardy.

Senator Enill explained that the Customs and Excise Division plays a particularly crucial role in the process of trade liberalisation and facilitation, and must also be seen as the first line of defence in our national security agenda: “You are, therefore, one of the frontline delivery institutions of Government.” He said he was aware that the Division has embarked on some initiatives to respond to the emerging challenges, and has accepted the mandate to achieve international standards of performance and service. These intentions, he said, must be transformed into reality to improve management accountability, succession planning and eliminate practices that provide opportunity for willing parties to subvert the credibility and effectiveness of the Division. Comptroller of Customs, Ralph Newton, also addressed the function and emphasised that the Division prides itself on its honesty and  ethical behaviour and that “integrity” was its  bulwark.  He also paid tribute to the men and women under him, both active and retired. The crowd also heard from Glenn Washington, who heads a party of US customs officers currently working with  local officers in an advisory capacity.