Civil Servant of the Year Encourages Colleagues to Serve with Dignity
By: , November 20, 2015The Key Point:
Photo: Donald Delahaye
Civil Servant of the Year 2015/16 and Senior Director, Planning and Development Division, Ministry of Education, Barbara Allen (right), is presented with a framed citation, done in her honour, from Chief Operating Officer, First Heritage Cooperative Credit Union, Maria Morrison, during the recent launch of Civil Service Week 2015, at the Knutsford Court Hotel, New Kingston. The week was celebrated from November 15 to 20, under the theme: ‘Diligently and Relentlessly Pursuing Quality Public Services for Sustainable Development’.The Facts
- Ms. Allen was speaking in an interview with JIS News, following her acceptance of the coveted award at the Jamaica Civil Service Long Service Awards Ceremony, held at King’s House, on November 18.
- An Educator, Ms. Allen has been with the Ministry for over 25 years and in the public service for 30. She noted that she feels blessed and honoured to have been recognised.
The Full Story
Civil Servant of the Year, Senior Director in the Planning and Development Division of the Ministry of Education, Barbara Allen, is encouraging fellow civil servants to serve with dignity and courtesy.
“At all times, just give of your best. It really doesn’t matter if anybody sees or knows, but when you go home, you will feel like yes, I have done my best for today,” she said.
Ms. Allen was speaking in an interview with JIS News, following her acceptance of the coveted award at the Jamaica Civil Service Long Service Awards Ceremony, held at King’s House, on November 18.
An Educator, Ms. Allen has been with the Ministry for over 25 years and in the public service for 30. She noted that she feels blessed and honoured to have been recognised.
“I know I work hard, but I also try to be fair to my staff and to serve my stakeholders. I think of it that as civil servants, you are to help; you are to serve; and you are to provide service to people,” she said.
One of the Long Service award recipients, Elizabeth Grier, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, also encouraged other public sector workers to stay motivated, even while she expressed appreciation for the honour.
“I really enjoy doing what I do and it gives me some amount of fulfilment to know that I make a difference in people’s lives. This gives me the motivation to go further in the service,” she said.
Ms. Grier works in the Passport Department of the Jamaican Consulate in Miami, Florida.
“It’s an honour, it really is. You work very hard to do what you do and it really makes a difference when you are recognised by your country,” she said.
Public Health Officer, Rupert Stephens, who spoke with JIS News after receiving his Long Service Award, said he accepts the recognition on behalf of all hardworking civil servants.
“I am dedicated to continuing to do good for Jamaica, so that this country can be among the best in the world,” said Mr. Stephens, who has been with the Ministry of Health for 25 years.
The awards ceremony formed part of activities to observe Civil Service Week from November 15 to 20, by the Jamaica Civil Service Association (JCSA).