As Deputy Governor, Archer has responsibility for ensuring efficiency and enhanced service delivery of the public sector.

Speaking on the Talking Points radio show recently, Archer was asked to say whether rumours of possible public sector cuts were true. In response, Archer said, “right now there is absolutely no credibility to that.”

Instead of cutting jobs, the Deputy Governor said the government is instead focused on providing new technology for public officers to work with and developing the current public workers who are in the system.

“We believe through technology we can create better experiences for persons who are doing business with the public service. But we also believe with the bodies that we have — 2,600 of them — there is room for all of them to contribute in new jobs and new ways so the idea is never to just cut,” Archer explained.

He continued: “The idea is never to just aimlessly cut. Anyone who’s made that decision — whether it’s a fortune 500 company — they quickly realise they have to scramble to rehire people.”

Online system to rate public service implemented

Despite no plan to cut the public service, Archer said his office is ‘tougher” on civil servants and is seeking to hold them accountable for the services they deliver to the public. He said that’s why the government recently launched a customer service virtual mailbox for persons to submit feedback based on services they receive from public officers.

“You may have seen a billboard or heard of  https://rateus.gov.vg . And that is just us saying for public service officers who do well, we want persons to commend them – we’re going to commend them. But it’s also saying if you’re not doing well you’re going to be held accountable,” Archer explained.

While the public will have a chance to submit feedback, Archer said his office has put mechanisms in place to protect workers and “weed out” feedback not submitted in good faith.

 “Before, complaints and feedback went straight to the government departments. Now, these complaints and commendations come centrally and I see all of them. If it’s a department head, I’ll call that person up and ask ‘would you like to come to my office’ or ‘would you like me to come to yours? Would you like to have this discussion over coffee?’ If it’s an employee, we’ll do the same thing and allow that person to bring their side to the story,” Archer explained.