NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government has terminated nearly $4 million in leases for various government agencies with another $350,000 in the ‘pipeline’ according to State Minister for the Public Service Pia Glover-Rolle.
Glover-Rolle reached in Parliament last week that 16 new lease arrangements had been entered into by government agencies since September 2021, with 14 leases having been terminated to date.
“The current value in terms of disengaged leases in the public service is approximately $3.7 million. There are some more in the pipeline which at this time is approximately $350,000. This process will be ongoing,” Glover-Rolle disclosed.
“I would have stated previously that our Prime Minister signed onto the ILO Decent Work Program in October 2021 which speaks to ensuring that our public servants have a safe and healthy work environment. That is our mission,” Glover-Rolle continued.
“Unfortunately, the Accommodations Units of the public service did not have an Inspectorate Unit. That is critical in terms of accountability. The government is responsible for buildings. In some instances, we don’t know which buildings there are as well as if they are occupied and well maintained. That is the role of the inspectorate. I do anticipate that there will be more disengagements if the need arises.”
Glover-Rolle noted that an inspectorate unit within the public service’s accommodations unit will be going out and physically checking buildings to ensure that they’re being maintained and that public servants have proper working environments.