The Tribune

BUILDING inspectors attached to the Department of Housing honed their skills during a two-day training programme at the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute.

The seminar was opened by Minister of Housing Kendred Dorsett, who said following the merging of the ministries of Environment and Housing, inspectors must deal with the myriad of new issues while continuing to provide the Bahamian people with affordable, quality homes.

“The reality is we cannot continue to do our jobs to the best of our abilities without taking into consideration continued professional development and training of our building inspectors. It is your job, at the end of the day, to ensure that we provide the best product to our valuable clients, the Bahamian consumer,” said Mr Dorsett.

He noted that over the years, there have been many complaints about structural and mechanical problems in homes, which suggests inspectors need to continuously upgrade their skills and inspection practices.

“It is therefore my expectation that this seminar in which you are participating today would provide you with some of the necessary tools or credentials that would assist you with more innovative ways to provide quality houses for the Bahamian public,” he said.

Mr Dorsett emphasised that inspectors must display a high level of honesty and integrity, and uphold a high code of ethics.

“We ought to be setting the benchmark. And therefore, as you have been told by others and me, as I met with some of you, one on one, it will not be business as usual in the Department of Housing or the Ministry of Environment and Housing,” he said.

“Accountability will now be the mantra in the Department of Housing, but it’s you who are going to be on the front line to ensure that we do not repeat the process of spending another $4 million on repairs and that requires due diligence, that requires us being proactive, it requires us to be on the ground in each and every subdivision at all times where construction is being done.

“There has to be changes. We know that and those changes will be met.”