Gov’t efficiency key to development, Holness tells Commonwealth leaders

PRIME Minister Dr Andrew Holness on Monday challenged governments to move beyond traditional thinking about development, arguing that the greatest obstacle is not a shortage of money but the failure of States and institutions to deliver efficiently.

Speaking during a leadership conversation with his counterparts at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda, Holness said governments must treat “efficiency as a resource”, becoming more agile and responsive as citizens demand faster, more effective public services.

“The aim of the game now is delivery — how fast can governments deliver benefits to their electorate,” said Holness, who has repeatedly underscored the importance of greater efficiency in government operations and the need to cut bad bureaucracy.