Page 476 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (III)_Neat

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In the Mechanical Transport Section there has always been a scarcity of skilled mechanics.
An improvement in the standard of maintenance is an essential requirement particularly in view of
the fact that this section is responsible for the upkeep of not less than sixty-two vehicles and at least
ten more are expected to be delivered during 1367. The most urgent requirement at present is the
engagement of a fully competent foieman who would be primarily responsible for maintaining a high
standard of maintenance and repair and the economical expenditure of spare parts.
Owing to the shortage of skilled staff, a considerable amount of additional work has inevitably
fallen on the State Engineer. In addition to general administrative and technical control of the whole
Department, the State Engineer is required to maintain a record of all essential statistics and also
personally advise on each and every repair and manufacture undertaking of the workshops.
The engagement of an Assistant to the State Engineer as opposed to the engagement of an
Assistant State Engineer is clearly an urgent necessity. This is the policy generally adopted in similar
engineering projects in industrial and other concerns. The essential qualifications for such an appoint­
ment would be a good standard of general education including mathematics. It would not be neces­
sary for the Assistant to have any engineering or technical qualifications as he would be primarily
Occupied in the weekly compilation of statistics including generating costs, fuel and lubricating oil
consumptions, power graphs, spare parts demands and consumption, and the checking of work
allocated to the staff excluding those engaged on shift work in the Power House, Bridge Operation,
Telephone Exchange, Water Distillation Plant, etc. The absence of immediate hand and up to
date records in these connections in xhe past has resulted in financial losses which only became evident
when it was too late to take preventive action. It is considered that this appointment could be
efficiently filled by a Bahrainian senior employee and this matter is at present under consideration.