The Tribune

A Cabinet minister has called upon his ministry's staff to be more "proactive" in 2020, adding: "The public has a right to expect more from us."

Desmond Bannister, minister of works, in his annual New Year's charge to staff, urged them to take the initiative and be more "responsive" in executing their duties.

"We have to do better, and we will do better," he said. "All over this island are mangled signs; damaged crash barriers; fallen road signs just lying there, in some cases, for years; useless safety barriers….and the list goes on. The public has a right to expect more from us.

"We have a right to expect more from ourselves. This year we have to be more proactive and much more responsive. I'm counting on you counting on you. This ministry is counting on you. The entire country is counting on you."

Mr Bannister added that the Ministry of Works had taken some "huge" leaps forward in 2019, pointing to its new telephone system, building renovations, an increase in its vehicle fleet and confirmations of promotions.

"We received 33 vehicles at a cost of $1.6m, which represents half of the vehicles that we expect to get. I am going to be working to get the other half of our vehicles this year, and I promise you that when they arrive, most of them will be assigned to our work crews, not to individuals," said Mr Bannister.

"After many years we now have a new telephone system. BTC is still working on it, but we expect that the entire ministry will soon be able to communicate with the world, and to have appropriate data services. We made recommendations for 90 persons to be appointed to the permanent and pensionable establishment, and 58 of those appointments were made."

Renovations to the Ministry of Works' 50-year-old building also took place in 2019. "The first floor of the main building has been completely renovated, and we are moving on now to the third floor. Over a period of time, each floor will be renovated," Mr Bannister added.

"We had a small setback with the fire recently, but I assure you that the renovations will continue so that we can improve the work environment. Improvements planned for this year include renovations and painting of the entire exterior of the JFK Drive building, the installation of hurricane impact windows, repairs to the roof, and upgraded alarm system and environmental cleaning.

Among those present for Mr Bannister's address were Cora Colebrooke, permanent decretary; Melanie Roache, director of public works; Gregory Butler, deputy permanent decretary; department heads and line staff.