The Ministry of Transport, Works & Housing held a general staff meeting on May 21, 2014 at the Institute of Jamaica in downtown Kingston. 

The Meeting which was addressed by Ministers Davies and Guy saw a capacity turn out from staff members from both the Maxfield and Towers location. Also addressing the staff meeting was Permanent Secretary Audrey Sewell, Chief Technical Director (Housing), Mrs. Doreen Prendergast and Senior Director, Human Resource Management and Administration, Mrs. Barbara Cadogan.

Addressing the meeting, Minister Omar Davies noted that the Ministry of Transport, Works & Housing covers a wide range of portfolio entities and urged each member of staff to contribute to making it a customer focused one. He said that there is a perception that the some aspects of the Ministry is involved in corruption and he encouraged members of the Ministry to work towards dispelling that perception. He further stated that he would like persons to ‘speak their minds and be candid about issues’ as he wanted people to feel comfortable in their ‘working space’.

Permanent Secretary Audrey Sewell for her part echoed the sentiments of Minister Davies noting that she would like to see a ‘stable, working environment conducive to productivity’. She sought to enlist the help of all staff members in carrying out the mandate of the Ministry as she said that she could not do it alone. She asked managers to make sure that information discussed at management meetings be filtered down to all members of staff. 

The Permanent Secretary used the opportunity to outline some of the major projects which the Ministry will be undertaking during the financial year. Some of these are:

·         Privatisation of the Kingston Container Terminal

·         Privatisation of the Norman Manley International Airport

·         The North-South Link

·         The Major Infrastructure Development Programme (MIDP)

·         Land Titling

·         Low Income Housing

·         Establishment of the Land Transport Authority  

·         Revision of the Rad Traffic Act

Also making a presentation was the Principal Finance Officer, Mr. Richard DePass who outlined some of the new policies relative to public sector and its operations. He highlighted the fact that all public sector entities will have to start paying GCT on goods and services and services procured.

Minister Guy also encouraged the staff to do their best in sharing the vision of moving the Ministry forward.