DAVIS

The Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) has recognised and honoured Dr Carlton Davis, Cabinet secretary and head of the civil service, who will be retiring at the end of this month, after serving 15 years in his current position.

The ECJ paid tribute to Davis by the reading of a special citation and presentation of a wood carving, commending him for more than 25 years of outstanding work in the civil service.

Quality public service

In recognising his stellar contribution to the bauxite industry, community development and the modernisation of the civil service, ECJ Chairman Professor Errol Miller saluted Davis for "the acuity of his intellect, perspicacity and high quality of public service rendered to his native land".

Davis was among scores of persons honoured by the ECJ in a glitzy long service awards ceremony on Tuesday at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel. One hundred and fifty persons employed to the Electoral Office of Jamaica islandwide for between 10 and 42 years were also honoured by the commission with trophies, plaques and special prizes.

Honoree Davis, who was also the guest speaker, praised Jamaica for having made significant strides in its system of governance, since Independence.

"We have achieved much," he declared, while pointing out that the island has a "strong culture of democratic governance".

He lauded the ECJ for having done a "marvellous job" in strengthening the island's electoral system beyond the belief and expectation of most persons.