President eyes private sector management methods for govt - does not rule out Cabinet reshuffle By Gitanjali Singh Stabroek News September 6, 1999 President Bharrat Jagdeo has not ruled out a Cabinet reshuffle under his tenure or the naming of new ministers of finance and trade as well as a governor for the Central Bank. Hosting his first media briefing as head of state on Friday at the Office of the President, Mr Jagdeo acknowledged the issues of a possible cabinet reshuffle, the appointment of a new minister of finance, a new minister of trade and the need to name a governor for the Central Bank. "Let me say that these matters are engaging my attention. No decision has yet been taken. Please do not fuel speculation," Mr Jagdeo asserted. He would not comment further on the issue when pressed. Stabroek News understands that whilst the President may be in no hurry to appoint a new minister of finance, Office of the President official Geoff DaSilva is tipped to be the new minister of trade as current minister, Michael Shree Chan, has reportedly decided to step down. Chan is back in the country after having surgery for a brain tumour in the US. As to the governor of the Central Bank, Mr Jagdeo indicated that the government has been discussing possible candidates and when a decision is taken, he will announce it. Asked on Friday whether the collective decision making process in the People's Progressive Party (PPP) was constraining him in making bold decisions to take the country forward, Mr Jagdeo said no. "I am not constrained by that (the collective decision making process) and we do not have any apology for consulting with each other etcetera at the level of the leadership of the PPP. Whatever I have done over the last days, it has had the full support of the PPP," Mr Jagdeo stated. The President in his inaugural speech to the nation a few weeks ago, said he will be adopting modern methods of management and explained on Friday that these included cutting out red tape and introducing private sector concepts in the governing of the country. He said that the output approach to work is what he is talking about where people take responsibility for their output, on which basis they can be evaluated. "It is introducing more private sector management principles into government," said Mr Jagdeo. Mr Jagdeo also indicated that he intends to appoint someone to survey government agencies, departments and ministries and to document all the procedures one has to go through before a decision is taken. "I would examine those (procedures) and those that are not necessary for regulatory purposes I am going to remove," Mr Jagdeo promised. These are just two of his concepts of modern management methods. During his first three weeks in office, Mr Jagdeo has been meeting various groups and persons and included in his work plan has been a business summit scheduled for October, reaching out to the opposition and holding cabinet meetings in various parts of the country. The latter is aimed at bringing policy makers in direct contact with people and their problems. The first outreach cabinet meeting of his government is scheduled for next week in Berbice. Mr Jagdeo, on the political front, has already met with two parliamentary opposition parties, The United Force and the Working People's Alliance. He is still waiting on a response to meet with leader of the PNC, Desmond Hoyte. Mr Jagdeo described his first days in office as hectic. Asked whether he will be seeking nomination as the PPP's presidential candidate for general elections due by 2001, he said he will decide when the time comes. A © page from: Guyana: Land of Six Peoples