Hundreds residents from every nook and cranny in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) converged at the Regional Democratic Council compound at Fort Wellington on Thursday to ‘cash in’ on the Government’s Public Day.

From the time the gates were opened, residents flooded the compound in their quest to access services within the Ministries of Agriculture, Communities, Health, Education, Public Telecommunication, Presidency, Finance, Indigenous People’s Affairs, Public Infrastructure, Social Cohesion, Social Protection, Legal Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Business. The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) were among agencies that had a stead inflow of people visiting their desks with key concerns.

Outgoing Minister of State Joseph Harmon said the turnout was encouraging. “People are responding to these outreaches, and what it means, is that, taking the government to the people is a very important aspect of the way in which we conduct government business,” Harmon told Guyana Chronicle.

He said the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government intends to take the ‘Bringing Government to the People’ outreach across the country. The outgoing Minister said upon the conclusion of every outreach, the information garnered is analysed and solutions are devised to ensure that the concerns of citizens are addressed and systems within the public sector are strengthened.

At the Ministry of the Presidency’s tent, Harmon noted that several concerns were raised based on services provided by the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI). A number of land issues were also brought by residents. “Of course there are always these reports which seem to suggest that there may be some levels of corruption at the lower level in relation to the services provided to people,” Harmon explained. He said a percentage of the land matters that surfaced was referred to the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission while others needed legal attention. “But I think that it has been a very rewarding morning so far and it is basically against a backdrop of an opposition that is telling people stay away from these exercises. This is for their benefit.

This is basically dealing with the issues that affect them in their daily lives,” Harmon said.
Harmon said the Parliamentary Opposition – People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is doing a disservice to the country and its people, when it advises them not to participate in the government’s public day, which opens up critical services to the people.

Another outgoing Minister Dominic Gaskin, who was responsible for Business and Tourism before his resignation earlier this month, said he was pleased with the overwhelming response from the people of Region Five. Gaskin said among the issues brought by the residents was one clear case of an alleged corruption. Based on the complaint filed, an entrepreneur, in his quest to access a small business grant, was informed of informed of the need to have a Compliance Statement or a Tax Liability Statement; however, he was reportedly told by a GRA staff that such a document would require $150,000. Gaskin said the fee associated with the statements is very nominal. As such, the matter was referred to the GRA that was present at the outreach. Another resident expressed concerns about the delays experienced in renewing their investment agreement with GO-Invest for a business venture.

Over at the Public Health Ministry’s tent, qualified and experienced residents from the region sought not only employment but training and elevation within the Public Health Sector. Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence said she and her staff were approached by many young qualified persons interested in participating in the series of training programmes being offered by her ministry.

These programmes include training of X-ray Technicians, Medical Laboratory Technicians, Environmental Health Assistants, Pharmacy Assistant and Audiology Practitioners. “The good thing about it is that they are all qualified seeking to be a part of that training, wanting to be a part of the Ministry of Public Health,” Minister Lawrence said.

The Public Health Minister said added to that a number of persons who are already employed within the Public Health Sector approached the ministry to upgrade their status. “I feel so happy about that. This is at a point where people don’t want to leave rather people want to upgrade. So we have been able to provide them with the necessary information and guidance as to how they could do that,” Minister Lawrence said. All the required forms were provided to them. Residents also sought medical attention for various chronic illnesses.

On Sunday, the Government will take its ministries and agencies on Sunday to Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) for another Public Day.