PRIME MINISTER RECOGNISES IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT
ST.GEORGE_ Grenada's Prime Minister Tillman Thomas on Thursday evening praised the island's Immigration Department for achieving second place in the United Nations Public Service Awards Programme for the delivery of quality customer service.
At a special reception, attended by a number of Cabinet Ministers in honor of the achievement, the Prime Minister said outstanding quality of service is not determined by the size of a country.
"It is not the size of your country, it's your performance," the Grenadian leader said while underscoring the importance of training to improve performance.
He congratulated the Head of the Department, Mr. Godfrey Fleming and the Immigration Department for their work and emphasized the "important" role the department is playing in supporting the development of the country -- especially its contribution to the Tourism industry.
"People who come to our shores, the first persons they come into contact with is the Immigration Department and if you convey a good impression, that is good for the country.....You are in a position where you can enhance the industry, which is a very important industry," the Prime Minister said.
For his part, Police Commissioner Willan Thompson commended Mr. Fleming for his dedication to improving the services offered by the department.
"This is not just a feat for the immigration department or the RGPF. This is for Grenada. I trust that the momentum that has developed, will continue," the Commissioner told the ceremony at the Prime Minister's official residence at Mt. Royal.
He praised Mr. Fleming for going above and beyond the call of duty and for providing quality leadership to the Department, enabling the achievement of "what many thought could not be achieved."
The UN award is directly related to the Grenada Public Sector Modernisation Programme administered by the Department of Public Administration. The Government Information Service and Mr. Edward Frederick, Certified Caribbean Hospitality Trainer also contributed to the process.
The Passport office was recommended for the award following the implementation of new processes that reduced the waiting time to obtain a new passport from six months to three days, over a period of time.
Several private sector companies including the Grenada Breweries, Grenada Distillers Limited, New York's Finest Bagels and Jonas Browne and Hubbards, partnered with the Prime Minister's Office to make the event possible.
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Prime Minister addressing reception
Police Commissioner of police addressing reception
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