Omar G. Sallah, Permanent Secretary, Personnel Management Office (PMO) and Chairman of the National Records Advisory Committee, has said that since the enactment of the National Records Service (NRS) Act 1993, which established the National Records Service, remarkable success have been registered in records keeping and management throughout the Civil Service.

PS Sallah made these remarks on Tuesday morning while delivering his official opening remarks at the 15th in-service training course for Records Personnel, held at the St. John's School for the Deaf in Kanifing. The training programme, organised by the National Records Service in collaboration with the Personnel Management Office, is scheduled to take place from 6th May to  12th June, 2008.

"It is common knowledge that, an effective records management systems is not only a necessity to the realisation of development objectives; but also indispensable in fostering evidence-based government through accountability, transparency and probity", PS Sallah observed.

According to him, the principal objective of the NRS is to ensure that offices, institutions and individuals responsible for the generation and maintenance of public records, strictly conform to sound records management principles and practices. He added that the NRS mandate also includes the establishment and implementation of procedures for the timely disposal of public records of no ongoing value and the permanent preservation as archival materials of records with continuing value for exploitation by present and future generations.

"The records of the government which you are called upon to manage, preserve and make accessible are the evidence upon which all aspects of planning development and service delivery rest. This underscores the importance which government attaches to this course.

Your training would enhance capacity within the NRS and the civil service at large, so that the  improvements made over the years will be consolidated and sustained. In this way, the rights of the citizenry are well protected", PS Sallah told the Records Personnel.

Permanent Secretary Sallah also reminded the participants that the course will expose them to the principles, concepts and practices governing records management, as well as key management topics crucial to the effective functioning of public records offices.

"The development of theoretical concepts on electronic records management is in line with NRS plans to partially respond to the challenges posed by Information Technology (IT); Electronic Records and Information Management (ERIM) programmes. It is therefore prudent to equip you with the required skills and knowledge necessary to address Information and Technological issues", he noted.

PS Sallah also reminded the participants about their code of ethics, noting that it is their primary responsibility to maintain the integrity of the records entrusted in their care. He then expressed hope that the participants will be adequately exposed to the practical aspects of records office operations to develop the requisite skills and knowledge to become better Records Managers. He also urged the participants to be mindful of the importance of applying their newly acquired skills as well as sharing experiences with their colleagues at their work environment.

For her part, Elizabeth Bahoum, Director of the National Records Service, welcomed the participants and said the purpose of this training  is to enable participants to deliver necessary information to their clientele.

She also reminded the participants of their guiding principles and advised them to take the workshop seriously.