The Department of Social Services’ expanded headquarters at Sunshine Plaza, Baillou Hill Road, will “better position” the department to fulfill its critical role of overseeing operations across the country, while guaranteeing that it remains “on course” to fulfil its goals and objectives — among which are to assist the poor, feed and clothe the hungry and the naked, provide shelter, help the sick, and protect the vulnerable.
The first of three scheduled phases, Phase I will also help to better serve the needs of the Department’s external customers (clients seeking assistance), and internal customers/clients (staff members) and was foreshadowed in Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, the Hon. Myles K. LaRoda’s contribution to the 2025/2026 National Budget Debate.
During that address in the House of Assembly (Thursday, June 5), Mr. LaRoda said the working conditions at some of the facilities were not conducive for productivity when the new Administration took office, and have since undergone repairs. Structural upgrades, Mr. LaRoda continued, have been undertaken across the department’s infrastructure, including the construction at the Department’s Headquarters on Baillou Hill Road.
The building will now house Administration, Human Resources Division, Senior Citizens Division, Disability Affairs Division, Facilities, Fleet Management and Maintenance Division, Disaster Management Unit, Disaster Supplies Storage Room, Stores, and a Multi-purpose/Media Room, in addition to two custodian lounges, two kitchens, bathrooms and elevator, as part of the objective of improving the delivery of services to clients by streamlining operations, strengthening digital systems, and promoting accountability measures to ensure transparency and fairness.
“As you are aware, the Head Office of the Department of Social Services has the responsibility of overseeing all of its operations and is tasked with establishing departmental objectives, making critical determinations, and guaranteeing that it remains on course to fulfill its goals. It is the central link between the Department’s senior management team, its external Divisions and Units, and the public. As such, it should be well-positioned for its critical role.”
The Department of Social Services is the largest department under the ministry’s portfolio, with a total of 18 Divisions and Units. Mr. LaRoda called its work “crucial and extensive”
“Social Workers perform a yeoman’s job, sometimes under less than ideal circumstances and it seems like whenever something goes wrong the question is “what is social services doing”? Therefore, it is important that we not only provide adequate staffing and resources, but we should also create an environment for productivity to flourish,” Minister LaRoda told his audience.
Mr. LaRoda said in 2021, Mr. Franon Wilson (President, of Arawak Homes and Sunshine Holdings Ltd.,) approached the Ministry to explore the possibility of an expansion, presenting “an innovative vision” of how he thought a Head Office should be.
“And although no action was taken at that time, he returned two years later, and the subsequent developments have become a significant chapter in our history. I thank Mr. Wilson and his team for the work they have accomplished. I am told that there were limited interruptions to the daily work flow of staff to clients and there were no reports of accidents. We also appreciate the professionalism and cooperation of (the architectural team) in accommodating a few changes that were not included in the original architecture.”
Minister LaRoda also applauded the staff at the Baillou Hill Road office “for having been patient throughout this process and I extend my thanks and appreciation to them for understanding.”
“You can already see that the work is leading to a better environment; one that is suitable for both you and our clients.
“So today, we mark the completion of the first of a three-phased initiative. I look forward to the completion of the remaining phases and the finished product, a state-of-the art Head Office that we can all be proud of,” Minister LaRoda added.
From: Bahamas Information Services
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