It’s inappropriate to talk about Pratt’s status, Sears says.

Minister for Immigration and NIB Alfred Sears. Photo: Dante Carrer

DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

IMMIGRATION Minister Alfred Sears did not say yesterday when Immigration Director William Pratt would be replaced, saying it would be inappropriate for him to discuss specific personnel matters.

Mr. Pratt, the department’s former director, has since retired. He was brought back to lead the organization after Keturah Ferguson, 62, took early retirement. Davis’ administration has said his role is temporary and that they plan to replace him.

“All retirees and extensions have a limited period of time,” Mr. Sears said at a press conference in Grand Bahama yesterday. “The matter is in terms of personnel, it would be inappropriate for me to say this. But you know, because his contract is public, it has a limited duration and that’s common knowledge.”

Mr Sears also noted that the Department of Immigration’s succession plan ensures that current immigration officers will continue to serve in leadership roles.

“The succession plan is not about replacement; this is to ensure that the management of the Immigration Department is occupied by existing immigration officers. That’s what the succession plan aims to do,” he said.

The Bahamas Customs Immigration and Allied Workers Union has filed a trade dispute with the Department of Labor challenging the Davis administration’s appointment of William Pratt as director of the Department of Immigration.

Deron Brooks, president of the BCIAWU, said the union won a victory in the Supreme Court in 2021, arguing that immigration officers cannot be contract workers.

Regarding concerns raised a year ago by immigration officials about lack of promotion, the minister said addressing the issue had been a priority during his tenure.

“We have created a special unit in Nassau, which includes people under the leadership of Deputy Minister Sharon Pratt Rolle,” he said. He added that human resources managers at other ministries have been working after hours since February, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., reviewing the personnel file of each immigration officer.