NASSAU, Bahamas – The Bahamas Immigration Department is drafting a blue print outlining solutions to various challenges it faces, Bahamas Minister of State, Branville McCartney said.
The document, to be completed by the end of June, will outline policies and procedures to be carried out by the Department in executing its mandate.
Mr. McCartney, who has ministerial responsibility for immigration, was speaking at the May 11-12 Customer Service Training Workshop and Motivational Seminar for Immigration officials.
“Customer service is most essential to all establishments whether government or private enterprise,” he said.
Earlier this year the Immigration Department formed a Customer Service Committee to review each unit within the Department, to determine how best it can be more efficient and provide quality customer service.
“The Immigration Department provides a service to Bahamians and visitors and we must ensure that that service is supreme,” he said.
An objective of the seminar was to assist Immigration Officers to recognize that their differing responsibilities – to guard, protect, welcome and facilitate – are not mutually exclusive.
Participants included those who will be at the frontline during the FIFA football conference this month, and the Miss Universe Pageant in August.
However, said Mr. McCartney, training seminars like these are to become “common practice” in the Department’s daily activities.
The seminar was part of the Immigration Department’s 70th Anniversary celebrations.
