At a Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) branch meeting in the Golden Gates constituency on Wednesday Prime Minister, the Hon. Philip Davis and Minister of Labour and the Public Service, the Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle defended the reengagement of over 400 retired persons in the public service.

Mr. Davis told the gathering, “I don’t imagine there are too many Bahamians who disagree that seasoned and skilled officers can offer important support to our police force especially as they work to carry out new reforms. We value the expertise of our most experienced, well trained and well educated officers, some of whom have already given their thirty years but still have a lot to offer including as mentors to new recruits.”

According to Minister Glover-Rolle, who was the host of the branch meeting, successive governments have reengaged retired public servants because administrations have failed to prepare younger workers for leadership roles. “These pensioners are Bahamians. They ain’ PLPs, they ain FNMs, they’re qualified Bahamians and PLPs we inherited a broken system, I never ran away from that. From January of 2022 you have heard me speaking about a reimagined public service,” she said.

On the impact of the reengagement program on youth opportunities, Glover-Rolle said the government will role out its national apprenticeship program to train young people.