DEAR EDITOR, as a person who has great concern for development aspiration to heart, I wish to share my concern on the recent media releases both from Island Sun newspaper No 2985 on Friday 17th and media release from Government Communication Unit, of the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet dated 16.08.2018.
This is regarding the recent appointment of the third female Permanent Secretary to lead the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.
The concern is in the light of the process involved in the processes undertaken in the appointment.
Whilst the general public appreciates the appointment, both media releases failed to highlight the fundamental issues required for a suitable candidate to fill such an important post.
The important issues are the relevant qualifications required for this technical post.
This is a technical ministry (MAL) an incumbent of this post requires the followings as the bench mark.
- A pre-requisite qualification requires for the candidate must be a BSC degree and Master Degree in Agriculture and rural development from a metro-polythene University.
- A required minimum of 10 years or more working in the field of Agriculture, which special emphasis in either, extension, research, livestock or quarantine with colossal experiences with local, regional and international connections.
- Other management qualifications example, human resources management and other extra areas of interventions.
These qualification requirements are essential for the candidate to provide a sound and appropriate advice to the Hon. Minister Agriculture and Livestock.
This is important when the Hon. Minister is due to make contributions to important issues raised during Parliament debate from time to time and more importantly, during budget sessions.
I am of the view that the process involved in the recruitment is doubtful and the process is being influenced by politics.
This will result in under performance and will somewhat create low productivity in the agriculture sector for the next five years down the road.
And when it happens, responsible authorities must be answerable for such a stake of affairs in the agriculture sector.
John Harunari
