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The resignation, or to be more precise, the decision of the Commissioner for Children, Ms Sonia Camilleri, not to seek a second term of office is indeed commendable. No doubt Ms Sonia Camilleri deserves the respect of one and all, for standing firm by her principles.
If my memory serves me well Ms Camilleri is the second female, after Ms Marlene Mizzi, ex-chairperson of the now defunct national shipping company Sea Malta, who found the courage to put down her foot to the authority, and pronounce, publicly, ‘loud and clear’ the reasons for her not seeking a second term of office.
I pray that the example of these two women of substance will not fall by the wayside, and that more persons (men included), occupying responsible positions will not permit themselves to be reduced to mere rubber-stamps, or to permit themselves to be used and/or abused, or to keep chairs warm, simply to satisfy the wishes of those who may have appointed them to office.
It is only in this manner that government ministers, hopefully, will one day, come to realise that it will eventually be in the interest of the country to appoint competent individuals to manage and shoulder the responsibility of government-owned entities. Obstructing individuals with sound principles, and the necessary knowledge and dedication to their job, is a grave mistake governments often make.
The current culture of appointing party buddies to responsible positions has, to date, failed to bear fruit. The system has only cost the exchequer, or better still the taxpayer, considerable expense, while rendering very little benefits, if at all, in exchange. Cabinet ministers have to change tack in awarding political appointments. government has a duty and an obligation to appoint the right people, irrespective of one’s political inclinations, if it wants to ensure the best economic and social results possible.
Applying nepotism in the exercise of appointments, primarily due to the ease with which such appointee manage to bend backward and forward to the whim of government/ministers that appointed them, is not only a great disservice to the nation as a whole, but it is also a betrayal of government’s duty and obligations towards the very people that elected it to power.
It is, unfortunately, a culture that has long been practiced in this country to pick on buddies to fill certain government appointments. Notwithstanding, the PM’s promise of some years ago of introducing ‘a new way of doing politics’, to date, he failed to honour his promise.
Minister Cristina may have the best of intentions, and the utmost prudence in the exercise of her authority over her ministerial domain, but that does in no way make the Commission in question, or any other entity for all that matters, under her wings independent and/or autonomous. What if, for the sake of the argument, the PM decides that a cabinet reshuffle has, after all, been long overdue and Ms Cristina is entrusted with another ministry, say, tomorrow? Would she still guarantee independence and autonomy of her former satellites?
I noted with satisfaction Ms Cristina’s remark regarding her comment on the unnecessary expense the Commission for Children would have incurred the exchequer, had it entered into a private rent agreement. Indeed, a sensibly remark, but what about the exorbitant and uncontrolled public spending most ministries (hers; included), the Opposition and the Auditor General so often criticise?
I definitely do not agree with what Madam Minister referred to as the general practice adopted by government in reviewing legislation. I do not believe that there was ever any hard and fast rule when laws are revised. Amendments/revision normally take place as and when they are felt necessary, and depending on the essence of the proposals, irrespective of any lapse of time.
One only hopes that whoever succeeds Ms Sonia Camilleri will not content herself/himself only, with the status the post may be perceived to carry, or the pay packet it offers.
Job satisfaction, together with one’s dedication and determination to doing a job well, should, in my opinion, rank ahead of the thickness the remuneration pack and benefits attached to the post. If any of the three ingredients are not present, success is likely to be more difficult to achieve.
It is said that one reaches the pinnacle of success as soon as one becomes uninterested in money, compliments, or publicity. Success is a journey, not a destination.
John G. Borg-Bartolo
Attard
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