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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie speaking, on July 21, 2014, at the Official Ceremony for the 10th Anniversary of the Reactivation of the Bahamas National Geographic Information Systems (BNGIS) Centre, held at the Paul Farquharson Conference Centre at Police Head Quarters, on East Street. (BIS Photo / Patrick Hanna)
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Nassau, The Bahamas -- Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie said. on July 21, 2014, that he was honoured to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Reactivation of the Bahamas National Geographic Information Systems (BNGIS) Centre because when he saw that, in the late 1990s and early 200s, there was lack of planning as far as geospatial considerations for building and infrastructure, he "resurrected" the programme.
"In 2004, I reactivated the Centre with a view to using modern technology, such as geographic information systems, to help guide strategic economic development planning and to also improve agency-wide efficiencies and services to the general public," Prime Minister Christie said, during the Official Ceremony held at the Paul Farquharson Conference Centre at Police Head Quarters, on East Street.
Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie (centre), Minister of The Environment and Housing the Hon. Kenred Dorsett and Bahamas National Geographic Information Systems (BNGIS) Centre Director Carolann Albury view the exhibition, on July 21, 2014, after the Official Ceremony for the 10th Anniversary of the Reactivation of the BNGIS Centre, held at the Paul Farquharson Conference Centre at Police Head Quarters, on East Street. (BIS Photo / Patrick Hanna)
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Also among the senior government officials and stakeholders present were Minister of The Environment and Housing the Hon. Kenred Dorsett, Minister of Health the Dr. the Hon. Perry Gomez, Minister of State in the Ministry of Transport and Aviation the Hon. Hope Strachan, Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security Sen. the Hon. Keith Bell, Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade and BNGIS Centre Director Carolann Albury.
Prime Minister Christie added that, back then, the reactivation was also important for the implementation of the Inter American Development Bank Land Use Planning and Administrative Project (LUPAP) Land Information Management, which was executed by the BNGIS Centre.
"One very important aspect of component two was the development of national security and safeguarding our borders," Prime Minister Christie said.
He added that that there are many other examples of the work that the Centre has performed for The Bahamas -- from assisting the National Emergency Management Agency's (NEMA) emergency function support to "protecting the physical Bahamas".
Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie (right) and Minister of The Environment and Housing the Hon. Kenred Dorsett pose with Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of The Environment and Housing Ms. Camille Johnson (left) and Bahamas National Geographic Information Systems (BNGIS) Centre Director Carolann Albury, after receiving commemorative stamps, on July 21, 2014, at the Official Ceremony for the 10th Anniversary of the Reactivation of the BNGIS Centre, held at the Paul Farquharson Conference Centre at Police Head Quarters, on East Street. (BIS Photo / Patrick Hanna)
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"When we passed the legislation, we were taking a giant step to ensure that we institutionalise the work they are doing," he added.
Prime Minister Christie pointed out that this was done so that no matter which government is in power, it would not affect the work of the BNGIS.
"There are examples, whether in my term or Ingraham's term or Pindling's term -- the Prime Ministers of The Bahamas -- where lack of planning has cost the Governments of the time a lot," Prime Minister Christie said. "Therefore, we are all obliged to empower any planning facility, any planning agency, and get them to work because that is the way you pass on this country to future generations with minimal degradation."
Prime Minister Christie said the work of the BNGIS Centre is intended to assist the country in managing its resources, monitoring its activities in The Bahamas and is indeed "critical".
"It does not make a lot of waves. It is not highly publicised and is not, therefore, truly appreciated and understood; but it is, ultimately, your work that puts us in a position to ensure that our country will survive in terms of planning, to give the police an opportunity to do better more effective policing -- it's your work that is directly tied to those things," Prime Minister Christie said.
"I just want to encourage you to continue to develop it and to continue to argue for resources dedicated to it because we have to do that and, ultimately, the country will catch up with you."
© Copyright 2014 by thebahamasweekly.com
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