B.V.I. Friday, June 26 – Over 200 public servants were recognised for their years of service at a ceremony held in their honour on June 22 at the HLSCC Learning Resource Centre.
The honourees were recognised for 10, 15 and 25 years of service along with those persons who retired last year.
His Excellency the Governor David Pearey delivering the opening declaration at the ceremony said while there is no easy answer to the question ‘what does it mean to be a world class public service?, “adopting best practices of increased efficiency and accountability; becoming a result-based organisation that is customer-focused; and providing the highest standards of service at all times,” are some of the qualities of a world class public service.
The Governor explained that “many people take for granted the services offered by our organisations. It is not unknown for both the providers and recipients of public service to tolerate second rate standards with a shrug of the shoulder and that the public service is sometimes seen as an unglamorous career choice.” The Governor disagreed with that view.
“The best public services attract the best people and offer the most rewarding of careers. That is what we aspire to achieve in the BVI,” the Governor added.
The Premier congratulated the recipients and encouraged them to keep up the good work. “I know how hard it is at times and you become frustrated by the actions of your boss and ministers; it boils down however to doing service for your country.”
The Premier added that the “country needs dedicated people in order for progress to be made. In the Government we have taken care to make sure that when it comes to the Civil Service and any matter to enhance the service, and privilege for the civil servants, we are very careful that it is given full consideration and that we give the civil servants the best that we can afford bearing in mind our resources.”
Deputy Governor Mrs. V. Inez Archibald and Director of Human Resources Mr. David Archer also delivered congratulatory remarks at the ceremony.
Employee of the Year Mrs. Carolyn Stoutt-Igwe, who chaired the ceremony, observed a moment’s silence in memory of civil servants whose valuable contributions to the public service were cut short due to death over the past year.
Presenters of awards at Tuesday’s ceremony included the Governor, Premier, Deputy Governor, and Permanent Secretaries from the Premier’s Office and the Ministries of Health and Social Development and Education and Culture.
Public Service Week, observed this year from June 21-26 under the theme “Working Towards a ‘World Class’ Public Service through Continuous Change’, wraps up today with a Retirees’ Dinner to honour the recent retirees from the service. The week is held annually to highlight the contribution of the public service to the Territory’s development and give members of the public an opportunity to gain a better appreciation and understanding of the work of the service.
British Virgin Islands News