NASSAU, The Bahamas -- Long-awaited promotions have finally come to fruition for 44 staff members at the Department of Transformation and Digitization (DTAD). On Thursday, 23rd March, the first group of employees received their promotion letters after a sixteen-year wait. Minister of Economic Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Halkitis congratulated the staff and thanked them for their patience. 

"Today, we celebrate a long-awaited and much anticipated milestone that we are proud of and one that you are more than deserving of.  

"Today is a new day, a day of renewed hope, a day of high expectations and a day of amazing accomplishments. Today, we right the wrongs that have been experienced by staff for so many years. Today, we chart a new course for this department by building staff morale, by building capacity, by helping to shape your career paths and by rewarding you for your dedication, hard work and commitment.  

"So today, it is a privilege for me to officially announce that the wait is over for the staff of the Department of Transformation and Digitization and, yes, today 44 persons will be awarded their promotions, salary scale adjustments and payment of salary arrears that is owed to you," said Minister Halkitis. 

He said that the second phase of promotion would follow and will include the newly approved career path, which is currently being processed.  In addition, he said the approved provision for Technical Allowances has been sent to the Ministry of Public Service for processing.

DTAD was established in 2006, with the mandate to enable operations of the public service through provision of information technology-based services required to facilitate the efficiency and effectiveness of the government’s operational processes in a technologically advanced era. 

Minister Halkitis said that information and communication technology (ICT) is the driving force of globalization and internationalization acceleration, therefore, the role of information and communication technology is more important than ever to ensure effective implementation of e-government, and ultimately the elimination of red-tape and enhanced transparency and accountability.

"During the past 16 years, this department has made significant accomplishments through digitization and modernization of the public service.  However, in spite of the myriad of achievements there is much more progress to be made.  We realize that positioning and alignment with global industry standards and best practices is critical as we navigate the way forward.

"I would like to personally thank those persons who have been with the department from its inception and have labored unselfishly in this vineyard, and to be proud of what you have accomplished," he said.

To commence this new phase in the history of the department, the first step taken was changing the name of the department from the Department of Transformation and Digitization to the Department of Information and Communications Technology.  The Minister said that this name change is reflective of the new ICT career path and also to that of the industry.

The second goal, he said, is for the department to engage in ongoing capacity-building by strengthening, identifying and developing skill sets among staff that can advance the department’s agenda. 

The Minister said the third objective is to ensure that the department has financial resources required to facilitate the implementation of infrastructure which is a necessary condition for the deployment of information technology services throughout the public sector.  
 
He ended by thanking all those who were key in assisting with the promotions. 

"I wish to express my gratitude to the Ministry of Public Service, the Financial Secretary, the Treasury, the Parliamentary Secretary, the Permanent Secretary, the DTAD National Coordinator, Acting Directors Office, the staff in DTAD Human Resources, DTAD Accounts and all those who played a pivotal role in making this day a reality," said Mr. Halkitis.