Yesterday, I started engaging Cabinet Ministers to motivate them and obtain a buy-in on the Public Sector Reforms that are taking place in their respective ministries and relevant departments.
This afternoon I will engage Minister of Transport and Public Works, Hon. Sidik Mia and his officials from the ministry. The Minister outlined nine reform areas which are being carried out in his ministry as well as opportunities for more reforms going forward.
Of particular interest to me is to understand the progress that has been made to improve the rail transport sector including metro and intercity lines.
However, it was disappointing to note that the quick wins that were obtained at the Directorate of Road Traffic and Safety Services (DRTSS) have backtracked. This has seen the congestion that was nearly eliminated prevailing again at DRTSS. I have since implored DRTSS to ensure that the system handovers from the consultant to the department are expedited and completed by September, 2020.
I have also asked the department to prioritise establishing a special Vehicle Inspection Service Bay for trucks and buses to ensure that revenue from this service does not fall through the cracks.
It is this administration’s goal that sources of revenue must be efficient if we are to develop this country. To this effect, I have asked the ministry to resubmit the proposal to recapitalise Central Materials Laboratory and establish it as a treasury fund.
I have also welcomed the proposal for devolution of the transport sector as a reform area and I am ready to support concrete plans that they will put forward.
As a way forward, I have asked the Minister and his officials to resubmit any papers for the cabinet’s attention as soon as possible on any outstanding issues that directly affect progress on the reform areas.
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