By Saikou Suwareh Jabai
The National Records Service (NRS) successfully concluded the 17th in-service training programme for records personnel on records management techniques and procedures last week at GTMI in Kanifing.
The significant capacity building programme which wrapped up on the 23 August, 2016, brought together participants from government ministries and parastatals.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Director of NRS, Mrs. Elizabeth P. J. Bahoum- Mendy, said participants should be proud of themselves for all the hard work leading to the successful completion of their training.
She said: ‘Now that you have been empowered with all the necessary skills required to operate efficiently in your records offices, you are expected to be change agents in enhancing information access, retrieval and storage among others in your Institutions’. She urged them to share the knowledge gained with their colleagues who did not have the opportunity to be part of the training.
The director advised them to apply the principles of discipline, confidentiality and professionalism in order to further raise the image of the Records Cadre. ‘Be worthy Ambassadors of the National Records Service (NRS) wherever you find yourselves and be the flag bearers of high performance within the civil service,’ she concluded.
Speaking on behalf of the Auditor General of National Audit Office, Mr. Pa Majagne Ndow said the amount of data organisations generate and store grows exponentially each year, adding that information has always been an organisation’s central resource. Without which, he went on, the modern organisation simply could not function.
He recognised the immense contributions of all stakeholders, particularly, PMO and NRS in making it possible for the training to be successfully conducted. He added that their determination to see to it that everything is well planned and successfully done is highly commended. Ndow said the importance of records management cannot be over-emphasised, and that the training is meant to enhance their skills in Records Management Techniques and Procedures. He said this will enable the records officers to provide better service to government.
Mr. Abdou Bah, representing the Permanent Secretary of the Personal Management Office (PMO), said capacity building of civil servants forms top of the government’s agenda. While assuring that their office will always support NRS in such significant initiatives, Mr. Bah expressed delight for being associated with the training.
In giving the vote of thanks, a participant, Juldeh Penda Sowe, commended NRS for initiating the training. She said the programme has overwhelmingly enhanced their capacities and that it made them proud as records personnel. While assuring that they will utilise the knowledge gained, she hoped that more of such refresher trainings will be organised for them again.
At the end of the closing ceremony, participants were awarded a certificate in recognition of their attendance in the 17th in-service training.
