Flabbergasted is the only word that came to mind when I heard the Communication Minister, Maxie Cuffie’s, reply to questions from a television news reporter about the transfer of staff from state-owned GISL to state owner, CNMG.
He said that it was a decision of management as he does not get involved in the day to day operations of state enterprises under his control.
This is well and good but one would think that the Minister, who was at one time an integral part of GISL, would want to have a hands-on understanding of these two state enterprises, especially with their poor track records and considerable high expenses.
Pressed further he went on to admit that he does not watch their news! To just say it was a decision of management to transfer staff leaves one to think that the minister is quite content to have the state enterprises under his stewardship just “operate.”
Surely the function of a line minister is to see the companies directly under their portfolios be properly and profitably run so that they can say to voters, and by extension the stakeholders, that their tax dollars are being effectively utilised.
Or if not, recommend to the Cabinet that taxpayers monies are being wasted and the operation be shut down.
In the year 2016 the least we can expect is effective management of our limited resources.
C Peters