MLGCA thanks its employees |03 January 2024
The awardees in a souvenir photograph with guests
The Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs found it crucial to recognise and reward the exceptional efforts of those who have worked extra hard in 2023 in an award ceremony held on Saturday at the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort.
The awards were presented by the Minister for Local Government and Community Affairs, Rose-Marie Hoareau, and Chief Secretary of the Public Service Bureau, Shella Mohideen.
The ‘Best of the Best’ were Steven Anna from the Burial Services while District Administrator of Bel Air, Christophe Madeleine, received the District Administrator of the Year Award. Anne Savy, who works with the Anse Royale district office, was the Office Manager of the Year and Marline Maringo of the Anse Etoile district office clinched the Office Assistant of the Year Award. Elsia Françoise was the Employee of the Year for the Secretariat. The Ministry’s Financial Controller, Marlene Valentin, and Executive Director Romano Songor were both awarded the Management Member of the Year Award.
Speaking to the press after the event, a surprised Mr Madeleine exclaimed how he was happy to receive the award and he will continue to work with the same energy next year.
“Throughout the year, we faced a lot,” he stated, citing the December 7 incident, where his team was involved to help those affected.
For 2024, Mr Madeleine conveyed that he wants to focus more at district level, especially among the youth.
He sent a message out to his other colleagues, encouraging them to continue to work hard and give it their all.
“Even if I was DA of the year, all 26 worked hard.”
An emotional Ms Valentin noted that as a financial controller, her role is to ensure that the ministry’s budget was used and spent in line with the regulations in place.
“There will always be challenges, incidents where things are not planned, instances where we consider panic buying, so we have to find a way to deal with it.”
In terms of achievements, Ms Valentin stated that she has a very good team that works well together and Praslin and La Digue no longer have financial constraints as banking is now done through banks.
Saturday’s ceremony also saw the presentation of Certificate of Excellence to Michel Benoit and Monique Valentin. The district administrators who excelled in 2023 were Marie-Anne Florentine of Plaisance, Jancy Volcère of English River, Nicole Gabriel of Perseverance 2, and Claudette Louise of Les Mamelles.
The Most Improved District Administrator Award, which recognises the person who made the most progress from when they started to date, went to Barbara Barallon, the district administrator of La Digue.
The Management Team also received awards for different reasons, such as spearheading appraisals, working with the technical team of the Institute of Early Childhood Development, and providing expertise and contributions. The following were rewarded namely Murielle Marie, DA of Cascade, Begita Melanie, and Elsie Pointe. Peter Estico and Xavier Jumaye of the Emergency Sector were also recognised for being able to navigate the disasters professionally.
The next batch of awards was given to the Office Managers who have worked well with the staff and given support to the Ministry in general. Those were Sylvanne Laurence, Monia Moustache, Hira Alcindor and Diana Nicholas.
Two office assistants, namely Naomie Nourrice and Hira Alcindor, were also given a Certificate of Excellence.
The Congeniality Award recognised the most helpful team player, and the person who is willing to overcome difficult moments. The award went to District Administrator Steve Noel.
In her discourse, Minister Hoareau stated that success is never just about innovating, hitting targets and achieving milestones but also about mutual respect and collaboration.
“The support and encouragement you give to your colleagues, the willingness to lend a helping hand, that is what sets the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs apart,” she stated.
She concurred that this year has been a mix of ups and downs and as a population we have witnessed the strengths within communities and within ourselves in times of joy, but we have also come together to face various challenges, particularly in the aftermath of the devastating events of December 7.
“As we stand on the precipice of a new year, I am confident that 2024 will bring even greater success and prosperity for our communities, if we continue working with the spirit of collaboration, teamwork and compassion.”
The event also marked the Ministry’s end of year function which included musical performances from known artists such as Travis and a song of reflection at the beginning of the event titled ‘7 December’.
Sunny Esparon
Photos by Louis Toussaint
