No layoffs at NRA, officials say

Deputy Premier Hon Juliana O'Connor-Connolly has denied that there will be staff layoffs at the National Roads Authority.

The National Roads Authority’s (NRA) Chairman and other government officials have quelled whispers in the community about impending staff layoffs at the authority.

NRA Chairman Colford Scott and board members invited Deputy Premier and Minister of District Administration, Works, Lands and Agriculture (DAWLA) Hon Juliana O’Connor-Connolly and  her staff, including Chief Officer Alan Jones, to a meeting with NRA staff to dispel rumors of layoffs that had been circulating in the community over the past week..

The meeting took place at Public Works Department compound this past Monday and dealt specifically with rumors that some 50 plus staff would be laid off by the end of December.

Deputy Premier addressed the group of employees, saying that while she and her Ministry did not get into personnel matters, which are the purview of the NRA Board, she felt that she had to reassure staff members that the rumors were not true.

“My Ministry is not involved in compulsory personnel cuts,” she reiterated.

“Government departments and statutory authorities have been given a their own funds to work with and we have to live within our respective budgets. Just like we all do, even in our personal lives.

The NRA Chairman also denied that there were impending layoffs and asked staff to concentrate on working together to find ways to cut back on spending and maintain the good name of the NRA.

“We need to find ways to improve efficiencies, and continue our progress and staff can assist in that process. You all work in the field; you know your jobs, so if you have any suggestions on how we can fine-tune the work, then please let your supervisor know.

“We are all in this together and we must work together to find solutions,” he added.