Dr. Timothy Hodge retired as Director of the Anguilla Social Security Board in January 2022. Some three years later a substantive successor had not been appointed. Dr. Maglan Lewis, who served as Deputy Director for many years and who has acted consistently since his retirement, has not been appointed as the substantive Director.
The three-year delay in appointing a substantive Director is alone cause for concern. The concern escalates if one gives any credence to the rumours that the Chair of the Board is to be appointed as Director. If that is to be the case anything less than a full explanation as to the recruitment process, identifying the timing of her application and clearly establishing that she played no role in her recruitment process or earlier recruitment processes in which applicants were denied, would be unacceptable. Transparency and accountability would require nothing less.
Section 6 (1) of the Anguilla Social Security Act states that – “The Governor shall appoint a fit and proper person to be the chief administrative officer of the Board on such terms and conditions as the Governor in Council may determine.” While the Governor appoints the Director, the terms and conditions of the Director are determined by Executive Council. The integrity of any appointment to the post of Director of the Anguilla Social Security Board should be of paramount concern to members of the Executive Council.
The Facebook post on HM Governor’s Office in Anguilla’s Facebook Page seeking a new member of the Public Service Commission sets the standard expected in relation to public service appointments. The post is captioned “Serve with Integrity | Join the Public Service Commission.” The Public Service Commission is described as the body that “ensures fairness, transparency, and merit in public service appointments.” It is indicated in answer to the question, “Why serve?” that one will help uphold the rule of law, guide fair employment practices, and strengthen public sector integrity.”
It is well known that the Public Service Commission is appointed by the Governor and makes recommendations to the Deputy Governor / Governor. It is reasonable to expect that in relation to appointments under the sole control of the Governor the principles referred to in the Governor’s Office Facebook page would guide any appointment. It is therefore anticipated that the merits and integrity of any appointment to the post of Director of Social Security would be easily and readily explained. The Director’s appointment, whenever it is made, should be accompanied by a comprehensive report on the recruitment process. Substance over form must be apparent in such a report. The integrity of Public Sector Appointments is paramount.
