Inspector Gorgo makes her way up prison service ladder

By SYLVESTER WEMURU
GORGO Momoru made her way up from being a casual employee in the Correctional Service Department to the rank of inspector over the past 28 years.
“My achievements were through the little tasks I performed as a clerk, or been engaged in activities that a correctional officer was engaged in, despite not having not much experience in the field.”
Mother-of-five Gorgo, 47, is from Tatana village in the National Capital District. She joined the Correctional Service Department in 1992 as a casual worker in the Pay Office.

After completing Grade 12 at the Kerevat National High School in 1991, she was initially recruited for three months as a casual worker in the Salary Section when permanent staff went on leave.
Her casual employment was extended by three months, then another three months. Eventually, she was informed by the administrator (a Mister Farari) to apply for a permanent position when vacancies were advertised. It took another two years before she was told to undergo training and to be confirmed as a CS employee.
“Becoming a uniformed officer was not really my dream. It was the late Mister Farari who encouraged me to rethink, reconsider and accept.”
She accepted and underwent a two-week refresher course. Her appointment was confirmed on Dec 22, 1994.
“That was how my career as a correctional service officer began.”
In 1999, she joined other female officers to attend a course at the CS College. They all completed the training. Her entire working life was spent in the Pay Office. She was mentored by senior officers such as Felix Namane, now the Acting Assistant Commissioner for the Northern Region.
“He was one those who played a big role in mentoring me. Others (officers) have left the organisation.”
She rose through the ranks gradually by dedicating herself to the jobs she was assigned to do.
In 2005, she was promoted to Corporal. In 2009, she was appointed the acting payroll manageress. In 2015, she was promoted to Sergeant Major but continued as the acting payroll manageress. Last year, she reached the rank of inspector.
She loves her work in the Pay Office. When she started, they had to do everything manually by completing forms and submitting them to the Finance Department computer centre for data input. In 2007, the CS joined other departments in processing pay through the Alesco payroll system.
“We started doing our own data entries after attending the Alesco system training.”
She feels honoured to be among the women who have made a career in the prison service.
“I am honoured to be part of the circle of women who have been recognised by the department for our efforts, and allowed to progress up the ladder. It’s an accomplishment for me.”

“ My achievements were through the little tasks I performed as a clerk, or been engaged in activities that a correctional officer was engaged in, despite not having not much experience in the field.”

She also appreciates the many trainings including one in Australia she had received both as a prison officer and a payroll officer.
She is now more determined to contribute more to the department which has been appreciative of her hard work and dedication. She also urges the 265 female officers in the department to do their best and work their way up to the top, and guide the young ones following them.
“We should as senior officers guide junior staff so they can also achieve the goals as we did.”
The Tatana village woman has some way to go yet.