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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Workmen put the finishing touches on signage signaling the move of the Ministry of Social Services and Community Development to the Aventura Plaza West, Thompson Boulevard and Bethel Avenue. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)
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Nassau, The Bahamas - Minister of Social Services and Community Development, the Hon. Melanie Sharon Griffin met Monday with recently appointed United States Charge d’Affaires Ms. Lisa A. Johnson, to discuss a number of future joint initiatives between her ministry and the United States Embassy, Nassau.
The discussions were held at the ministry’s new facilities on Thompson Boulevard. Ms. Thompson’s visit was the first official visit to Minister Griffin at the new location. The Ministry completed its move from the Bahamas General Post Office Building on East Hill Street to the new, more modern facility located in the Aventura Plaza West over the August 9-10 weekend.
The move is part of the Government of The Bahamas’ promise to upgrade facilities for staff of the Ministry of Social Services and Community Development and the Department of Social Services.
Charge’ d’Affaires Johnson was accompanied by Ms. Neda Brown, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, United States Embassy, Nassau while Mrs. Griffin was joined by Mrs. Barbara Burrows, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Services and Community Development and Ms. Christine Campbell, First Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Social Services and Community Development and Director of the Bureau of Women’s Affairs.
“These are some really exciting times for the ministry and I am really happy about the move,” Mrs. Griffin said. “The Post Office Building where we were previously located was not really conducive because the building is an old one and, in addition to which, there was not enough space to house all of our staff under one roof.
“I expect for the move to not only provide better working conditions for our staff and also of course for those persons whom we serve, but also provide for improved staff morale as well as improved service to the Bahamian public,” Mrs. Griffin added.
The new location will allow the ministry to house the majority of its services in one location as, in addition to housing Administrative Offices for senior staff, space has been allocated to house the Bureau of Women’s/Gender Affairs; the Social Safety Net Unit; Administrative Offices for staff of the Community Development Unit; and a Registry.
Mrs. Griffin said the expanded space given to the Bureau of Women’s Affairs will be utilized for the development of a Research Section and Library, in addition to additional spacing for additional staff.
“The additional space allocated for staff of the Social Safety Net Unit is very important as the Social Safety Net programme will be an essential service as it is the vehicle that will help the Government of The Bahamas to break the cycle of poverty within our country,” Mrs. Griffin said. “It’s significant that they have been moved into the space they will occupy because now we can really go full steam ahead with that project.
“This is a full ministry that we have been able to get under one roof. You will find the place to be very, very nice.”
Minister Griffin said it has always been her belief that “a happy staff works well.”
Minister of Social Services and Community Development, the Hon. Melanie S. Griffin welcomes United States Charge' d'Affaires Ms. Lisa A. Johnson to the new offices of the Ministry of Social Services and Community Development (Monday, August 11, 2014). Pictured (from left) are: Ms. Christine Campbell, First Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Social Services and Community Development and Director of the Bureau of Women's Affairs; Mrs. Barbara Burrows, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Services and Community Development; Minister Griffin; Charge d'Affaires Johnson and Ms. Neda Brown, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, United States Embassy, Nassau. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)
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To ensure that happens, space has been allocated for an After-Care Centre for children of staff members. The Centre will be manned by ministry staff and outfitted with computers.
“The establishment of the After-Care Centre is a very important and innovative part of this move and this whole process because we find that quite a bit of our productive time is lost to staff who have to go and pick up their children from school and take them home or wherever there is a caregiver.
“The After-Care Centre will allow staff to bring their children into safe and secure facilities where they will be monitored by staff and where they will be to complete their homework and/or participate in other wholesome activities,” Mrs. Griffin added.
The facility has been made disabled friendly with all of the services offered, located on the Ground Floor. Ramps have been installed to ensure access for wheelchair use.
“We have two very wide disabled friendly parking spots and ramps all around and leading into every area where the various services are provided and the bathroom facilities are all disabled friendly,” Mrs. Griffin said.
“The only area that is not at ground level is our administrative offices, but we have an elevator in that section that can be accessed by ramp. Again, we wanted to lead the way in making this facility disabled friendly.”
Mrs. Griffin said the new facilities should meet staff and public approval.
“You can never please everyone, but I feel that if people see you making a committed move to improve working conditions; making an effort to assist in their personal development and assist in providing all access o government services and products for them, that will be very, very important to them and I think that’s what we have done with this move.”
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