The 50 retired civil servants and representatives posing for an official photograph with Prime Minister Freundel Stuart (centre) at Monday’s ceremony at Hilton Barbados. (C.Pitt/BGIS)
Fifty retired civil servants have been honoured for their sterling contributions to the development of the public sector and nation.
Their achievements were recognised during an awards ceremony at the Hilton Barbados Resort on Monday, where the Office of Public Sector Reform (OPSR) also launched its 50th Anniversary of Independence special edition of the Challenge to Change magazine, entitled: Legends to Legacy.
The publication highlights the achievements of these 50 men and women who provided yeoman service to this country both pre and post-Independence. Awards were presented to persons both retired and deceased.
Speaking at the launch, OPSR Director, Charley Browne, suggested that the vast experience of these honourees would still be a valuable asset to the present civil service.
“I had the distinct privilege of speaking to these honourees and many of them have expressed a desire to continue to assist in the development of the public service, and some have even pledged to lend a hand wherever and whenever needed.
“It is my view that such vast institutional knowledge should be utilised in the continued development and growth of the public sector, even after retirement,” Mr. Browne said.
The OPSR Head also challenged existing public service officers to continue to provide excellent service despite the many challenges faced on a daily basis.
He also encouraged the many ministries to work towards capturing the information and knowledge from key officers within their departments, before it is lost.
Among those honoured at yesterday’s event were retired Police Commissioner, Orville Durant; former head of the Civil Service, the late Branston Collymore; Barbados’ first Ombudsman, Sir Frank Blackman; retired Chief Information Officer, Margaret Hope; former Food Promotion and Development Specialist, the late Veltene Carmeta Fraser; and former diplomat, the late Oliver Jackman.
andre.skeete@barbados.gov.bb