Local government practitioners in Grand Bahama are expected to be better equipped with the tools needed to perform their jobs effectively after the conclusion of a two-day training workshop, which started on Wednesday.
Minister of Local Government and Consumer Affairs V. Alfred Gray, who spoke at the opening of the workshop held at the Hilton Outten Convention Centre, encouraged workers in the Grand Bahama districts to serve the people well.
“Civil servants generally and indeed politicians, those who we have the privilege of serving deserve our very best, and not sometimes,” Minister Gray said.
“They deserve it all the times. How can you give your best to anybody when you don’t do what [you are supposed] to be doing? That’s why you have to be competent.”
Minister Gray, who reiterated the theme: “Competence, Integrity and Commitment-Prerequisites for Service”, said workers should not be “slack” on the job.
“From the top to the bottom, we have to straighten up this thing, otherwise our country would go to hell,” he said.
“It’s about time we talk straight to people and stop fooling them. There is no place in the public service for mediocrity and slackness and half a day and taking coffee breaks,” he said to a cheering crowd.
Administrator for West Grand Bahama Charles King told reporters that one of the goals of the workshop was to challenge workers to avoid bad work habits.
“The local government practitioners were elected in June of last year and a lot of them are not all that familiar with the Local Government Act,” Mr. King said.
“They are not familiar with government’s policies as it relates to the conduct of affairs in the community, and so we brought the people together so we could sort of educate them as to what those policies are [and] what thus says the law, so they could be guided as far as the decision making process is concerned.”
Speakers at Wednesday’s session included, Assistant Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade; Assistant Director of Immigration James Rolle; and Controller of Road Traffic Jack Thompson.
Participants were also scheduled to hear from other speakers today, including Co-chairman of the Grand Bahama Port Authority Julian Francis; and President of the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce Dr. Doswell Coakley.
Minister Gray said the workshop kicked off Local Government Month, “which is geared to heighten the awareness of the many and varied facets of local government.”
“In this regard, church services will be held to thank God for his goodness to us; school visits will be undertaken to inform our youngsters about local government and what it means for them and their communities,” Minister Gray said.
Several other events have been scheduled on Grand Bahama, including a church service at Universal Household of Faith on Sunday, and Grand Bahama Business Outlook on Tuesday at the Westin and Sheraton at Our Lucaya Convention Centre.
By: Courtnee Romer, The Bahama Journal
