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From:TheBahamasWeekly.com Bahamas Information Services Updates
Nassau, The Bahamas – The negative fall-out from the COVID-19 Pandemic has caused regional and global countries and entities alike to “Change/Switch Lanes” in terms of their delivery of products and/or services, Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Frankie A. Campbell said. Minister Campbell added that the Ministry and its Departments, Divisions and Units are no different. Delivering a virtual address to a Northern Bahamas Staff Development Seminar held recently in Freeport, Grand Bahama, under the theme: ‘Switching/Changing Lanes,’ Minister Campbell said: “I have always said that one of the characteristics of living things is adaptation, and so when I heard of the theme, I smiled, because you would appreciate that even on the streets, in traffic, while remaining in our lanes is oftentimes remains the safest thing to do, there are times when it becomes necessary to change lanes in order for us to get around an obstruction in order to be able to safely get to our destination. But there is a proper way to do it.” “In Changing Lanes, we first must acknowledge and recognize our very own position. We must be mindful of where we are in relation to the other drivers before we can/should even think about changing lanes,” Minister Campbell continued. “In the case of our theme, we need to perform some personal reflection/introspection; we need to be reminded of our purpose, the reason for our being. We are here to give hope to those who are in despair. We are here to shed light where there is darkness. We are here to lift the spirits of those who may feel downtrodden, but in order to do that we have to make ensure that we are in that position spiritually, physically and otherwise.” Minister Campbell applauded staff members for their commitment to facilitating the various needs of clientele despite the negative fall-out from Hurricane Dorian in 2019 and the COVID-19 Pandemic which began in 2020 and has continued into this year. “Even after the two most recent crises of which you were also victims with some of you losing property and others of you losing family and friends, you were called upon and continue to be called upon, to provide service to our external customers. “And so as we think about Switching Lanes/Changing Lanes, I go back to where we are, which is a time in which the entire world is grappling with this COVID-19 Pandemic; with the whole question of adhering to protocols that are necessary to preserve ourselves, and so we have to shift gears, we have to switch lanes, because pandemic or not, our external customers are still looking to us; pandemic or not, the needs of the less fortunate among us are still there as we are the first line of defence -- and in many instances -- the only line of defence. “That said, I thank you for your service. I want you to know from the bottom of my heart, that I do appreciate each and every one of you for your contributions and I am grateful to all of you collectively for what you do when you come together; for the work you have done, are doing, and continue to do as we manoeuvre through this pandemic -- things could have been a whole lot worse for a whole lot more people, if not or your contributions, your dedication, your commitment, your sacrifice,” Minister Campbell added.
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