Premier and Minister of Finance Dr Natalio D. Wheatley has said new provisions in the Public Service Management Act, 2024 give ministers greater responsibility for setting objectives and assessing the performance of permanent secretaries, marking a shift in accountability within the public sector.
Speaking on September 10 at the government’s mid-year review, attended by around 90 senior officials, Wheatley explained that the Act clarifies the relationship between ministers, permanent secretaries and department heads.
The law requires permanent secretaries and department heads to carry out their duties under the direction of ministers, consistent with the Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007. It also establishes that ministers are to set performance goals and contribute directly to the appraisals of permanent secretaries, who in turn will oversee the performance reviews of department heads.
“This significant clarification means that ministers have a strong management responsibility to set performance goals and provide direct input into the performance appraisals of permanent secretaries,” Wheatley said. “This means that there must be a strong and collaborative relationship between ministers and permanent secretaries.”
The premier added that the mid-year review was convened to ensure implementation of the Act and to maintain alignment with the National Sustainable Development Plan, launched in 2023 as the framework for long-term development across six areas: health, education, economy, infrastructure, governance and the environment.
The review, which follows a similar meeting held in February, also provided an opportunity for ministries and departments to report on progress to date and to prepare for the remainder of 2025 and into 2026.
