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I was never much interested in the housing authority – truthfully, I didn’t even know where the office was. I became involved in the “Headstart” project in conjunction with the Housing Authority and found out where the ‘housing’ was!
The way this authority is run should be a blueprint for other government departments run by civil servants. From the minute you drive up the messengers are an example of civility…no clicking of fingers or “caqlaq” (move) if one does not find parking and parks on the reserved space but actually guide you where to find parking.
You walk up the stairs and invariably the body language of anybody coming in for the first time is one of defence or getting ready for a challenge. It is one of the few places that either the receptionist or again the messenger asks if they can help as opposed to “Yes….?” One is led into a private office where whatever the problem is discussed. I have actually been in one of the offices as I was waiting for somebody and saw the girl present there chasing a file in another department and going for it. I know that you are saying “so”? Well, in most government departments I have been, employees seem to find more reason for not doing something than for doing it.
This particular client was not told to phone or go again because the file wasn’t there, but the case resolved and the employee telling the client that he could expect an answer within a week after she had checked with another department. At this point, I was blatantly staring at her. And this is the general attitude.
There is also a feeling of camaraderie between all the employees and a feeling of contentment at the place of work. What I also find amazing is that all the doors to the offices are open – walk up to the general manageress’s office, door open – anybody can stop by and say hi or bye or is it convenient to discuss an issue? Walk up another floor and the chairperson is there – again with an open office door.
One just gets the feeling that this is not about people building power bases but about getting the job done and the winner is undoubtedly… the public!
Tanya Borg Cardona
Sliema
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