Exemplifying this year’s theme of efficiency, excellence and innovation, the Ministry of Communications and Works, team Panthers retains the title of Public Service Week champions. Photo: GIS/ Ronnielle Frazer)

Acting Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Communications and Works, Mrs. Arlene Smith-Thompson told the Department of Information and Public Relations that the success achieved by the Panthers this year was largely due to consistency and cooperation among the ministry, units and statutory bodies.

“The decisive factor was that we were consistent. We came together in the spirit of competition and cooperation, by harnessing our troupes to compete for a common goal,” Mrs. Smith-Thompson said, adding that the huge margin of victory was attributed to the participation of Heads of Departments, which resulted in team Panthers winning the Top Ministry Participation Award.

When asked how she felt about team Panthers exemplifying this year’s theme, the PS said, “We tried to portray the theme in many ways at the Cheerleading competition and the Open House exhibition. In referencing the Open House activities Mrs. Smith-Thompson said that her ministry used the opportunity to showcase service excellence and to educate the almost 300 visitors on the role of the Ministry and how it impacts the lives of the people of the Territory.

In speaking about the participation of the ministers and high-level Government officials Mrs. Smith-Thompson said, “It was good to see the ministers support their teams, because it goes a long way when employees see that they can get support from the very top of an organisation, which according to the Permanent Secretary can increase motivation in the workplace.

In closing Mrs. Smith-Thompson encouraged all officers to continue to support each other. “The importance of team work and motivating self and others to do their best, to continue to uphold standards of excellence, efficiency and innovation all goes hand in hand,” she added.

Mrs. Smith-Thompson said she wants to see an elevated sense of pride exemplified in the employees’ work, the way they interact with internal and external customers and how dedicated they are to the task with which they are charged.

Public Service Week is held annually to highlight the contribution of the public service to the Territory’s development and give members of the public an opportunity to gain a better appreciation and understanding of the work of the Public Service.