Public Service Day … celebrate the value and virtue of service to the community and the nation.
Every year since the United Nations encourages member states to observe the 23rd of June as United Nations Public Service Day. As such, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago has organized events in order to highlight the contribution of the public service in the development process. Each year has a new flair… a new level of excitement that sets it apart from years past. This year is no different as the Government through the Ministry of Public Administration and Communications hosted an Open House reflecting the theme “Innovating for Excellence in Service Delivery” on the ground floor of the NALIS building. From the 21st to 24th June 2016, several Government agencies had the opportunity to inform, engage and educate the public about what is new and improved in their specific focus of responsibility. Here’s a recap of the week’s activities:
Day 1 - Tuesday 21st June 2016
The week’s celebrations commenced with the official launch of Public Service Week where the Hon. Maxie Cuffie, Minister of Public Administration and Communications delivered the feature address. In his address, the Minister acknowledged the strides that have already been made with regards to public service development and thanked those who have contributed to the development of the service. Following the ceremony, excited citizens began to visit the booths at the Open House.
From learning about scholarship processes to becoming aware of the Government services available to citizens under one roof, the visitors were in for a real informational and engaging experience. Exhibitors from ministries and other public sector agencies such as the Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Public Utilities, Ministry of Education, Trinidad and Tobago Mortgage Finance Company Limited and iGovTT displayed true customer service as they willingly shared information on their innovative services.
The event was seasoned with the sound of the national steel pan as members from the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force orchestra played an outstanding musical rendition.
Day 2 – Wednesday 22nd June 2016
Innovation, excellent customer service and amiable exchanges of information between exhibitors and the public continued on day two of Public Service Week celebrations. The Ministry of Health attracted attention as they displayed machinery and chemicals they used to fight the pestilences of mosquito infestations. Other public sector agencies and departments for example the Trinidad and Tobago Securities and Exchange Commission, Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Environmental Commission spent the day imparting knowledge about their services such as TTBizLink and Internet Fraud Protection.
Day 3 – Thursday 23rd June 2016
United Nations Public Service Day!
On Day Three of the celebrations, the public had the opportunity to gain knowledge on streamlined services such as the E-Tax programme, FAIRSHARE programme from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Labour and Small Enterprises consecutively. Young professionals were able to meet with the Government Human Resources Services (GHRS) exhibitors to have their resumes critiqued, while small farmers and entrepreneurs were opened up to new micro-farming possibilities through the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries.
The day ended with a true cultural experience as the North West Laventille Cultural Movement danced to the beats of popular local songs.
Day 4 – Friday 24th June 2016
The week’s event ended with a grand finale as services like Customs and Excise, the Ministry of Tourism, and MPAC’s Trinidad and Tobago Diamond Standard Programme shared information on their services. The Office of Disaster and Preparedness Management (ODPM) were also present in the day’s activities providing citizens with detailed information on disaster preparedness using brochures and flyers at their booth. With the air already filled with excitement from the capital’s City Day celebrations parade, the public attending the Open House were also able to enjoy a thrilling ice sculpting by a student from Trinidad and Tobago Hospitality Institute of Trinidad and Tobago. The day’s excitement was further heightened when the Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, the Hon. Darryl Smith partook in the Ministry of Planning and Development’s “Paint your Ideal T&T” activity.
While some of the Ministries participated on one day, there were two agencies that offered activities and informational sessions for the entire week. National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago transformed the ground floor of the Old Fire Station building into a cultural and historical space for the entire week with colonial artefacts. The National Library and Information System Authority (NALIS) also offered sign up services for the duration of the weeklong celebrations.
Public Service Week 2016—participating Government ministries and agencies surely placed the words innovation and excellence in the same sentence with Public Service delivery.
Public Service Day … celebrate the value and virtue of service to the community and the nation.
Every year since the United Nations encourages member states to observe the 23rd of June as United Nations Public Service Day. As such, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago has organized events in order to highlight the contribution of the public service in the development process. Each year has a new flair… a new level of excitement that sets it apart from years past. This year is no different as the Government through the Ministry of Public Administration and Communications hosted an Open House reflecting the theme “Innovating for Excellence in Service Delivery” on the ground floor of the NALIS building. From the 21st to 24th June 2016, several Government agencies had the opportunity to inform, engage and educate the public about what is new and improved in their specific focus of responsibility. Here’s a recap of the week’s activities:
Day 1 - Tuesday 21st June 2016
The week’s celebrations commenced with the official launch of Public Service Week where the Hon. Maxie Cuffie, Minister of Public Administration and Communications delivered the feature address. In his address, the Minister acknowledged the strides that have already been made with regards to public service development and thanked those who have contributed to the development of the service. Following the ceremony, excited citizens began to visit the booths at the Open House.
From learning about scholarship processes to becoming aware of the Government services available to citizens under one roof, the visitors were in for a real informational and engaging experience. Exhibitors from ministries and other public sector agencies such as the Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Public Utilities, Ministry of Education, Trinidad and Tobago Mortgage Finance Company Limited and iGovTT displayed true customer service as they willingly shared information on their innovative services.
The event was seasoned with the sound of the national steel pan as members from the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force orchestra played an outstanding musical rendition.
Day 2 – Wednesday 22nd June 2016
Innovation, excellent customer service and amiable exchanges of information between exhibitors and the public continued on day two of Public Service Week celebrations. The Ministry of Health attracted attention as they displayed machinery and chemicals they used to fight the pestilences of mosquito infestations. Other public sector agencies and departments for example the Trinidad and Tobago Securities and Exchange Commission, Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Environmental Commission spent the day imparting knowledge about their services such as TTBizLink and Internet Fraud Protection.
Day 3 – Thursday 23rd June 2016
United Nations Public Service Day!
On Day Three of the celebrations, the public had the opportunity to gain knowledge on streamlined services such as the E-Tax programme, FAIRSHARE programme from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Labour and Small Enterprises consecutively. Young professionals were able to meet with the Government Human Resources Services (GHRS) exhibitors to have their resumes critiqued, while small farmers and entrepreneurs were opened up to new micro-farming possibilities through the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries.
The day ended with a true cultural experience as the North West Laventille Cultural Movement danced to the beats of popular local songs.
Day 4 – Friday 24th June 2016
The week’s event ended with a grand finale as services like Customs and Excise, the Ministry of Tourism, and MPAC’s Trinidad and Tobago Diamond Standard Programme shared information on their services. The Office of Disaster and Preparedness Management (ODPM) were also present in the day’s activities providing citizens with detailed information on disaster preparedness using brochures and flyers at their booth. With the air already filled with excitement from the capital’s City Day celebrations parade, the public attending the Open House were also able to enjoy a thrilling ice sculpting by a student from Trinidad and Tobago Hospitality Institute of Trinidad and Tobago. The day’s excitement was further heightened when the Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, the Hon. Darryl Smith partook in the Ministry of Planning and Development’s “Paint your Ideal T&T” activity.
While some of the Ministries participated on one day, there were two agencies that offered activities and informational sessions for the entire week. National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago transformed the ground floor of the Old Fire Station building into a cultural and historical space for the entire week with colonial artefacts. The National Library and Information System Authority (NALIS) also offered sign up services for the duration of the weeklong celebrations.
Public Service Week 2016—participating Government ministries and agencies surely placed the words innovation and excellence in the same sentence with Public Service delivery.