Berbicians capitalise on gov’t outreach
Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo interacting with residents of Berbice
Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo interacting with residents of Berbice

…many resolve land, water other issues

MUCH to the delight of residents in the East Berbice Corentyne Region, the Government of Guyana, on Tuesday, took several ministries to the people in another round of public day activities.

Sixty-three-year-old Oditnarine Seemangal says he was able to get a decades-old land matter resolved

Residents from across Region Six, and even some from Region Five, came out in their numbers to access the services provided by over 22 ministries and government departments. The public day event was held at the University of Guyana Tain Campus.

The outreach was held under the theme “Government comes to you”. The exercise officially began at 10:00hs and later, government ministers joined their various ministries and agencies following a special Cabinet meeting held at State House, New Amsterdam Berbice.

Most persons who attended expressed satisfaction with their interactions at the various booths. This is the third outreach for this year. The first was held in February in Region Nine, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo and the second, in Georgetown at the Square of The Revolution.

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan and Regional Executive Officer of Region Six, Kim Stephen-Williams address concerns of two residents

Residents of all walks of life used the opportunity to raise concerns about land, security, road, streets and agriculture issues, while some came out just to meet the ministers and have a photo taken and let them know that they are doing a good job.

The Ministry of Communities, Central Housing and Planning Authority booth attracted scores of persons who waited to enquire on the status of their applications for house lots or how and when they can acquire a plot of land to start building their homes.

Persons gathered well before the 10:00 am start-up and the process was smooth for the entire day with a fast-flowing traffic of people coming in and going out as soon as they were attended to.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, many were elated and expressed gratitude to the government for making the opportunity possible. One such person was a 63-year-old pensioner from Albion who was all smiles as he said he was trying for over five years to have a land issue rectified, but took only a few moments and he got the help he needed.

“I had an issue with a house lot and as soon as I go in to the booth and explain and present my documents they were able to help me out. I have to follow up with them tomorrow (today Wednesday) and I will be set. I am very happy that I had this opportunity and I believe they should look to do this more often because is a good thing and a lot of people getting their problems solved today,” Oditnarine Seemangal said.

A young mother presents her documents to minister within the Ministry of Communities with responsibility for housing, Valerie Adams-Yearwood

Meanwhile the Opposition PPP staged a picketing exercise opposite the venue, but this did little to deter people from meeting the government. Speaking in anonymity to the Guyana Chronicle, a businessman said he was initially afraid to meet the ministers to have an issue addressed because he was threatened by a few persons from the group of protestors who saw him.

He, however, said he was happy that he had an opportunity to meet the minister of public security who addressed his issue regarding a firearm licence. “They can’t help me and them want stop people from going and meet the people who can help. You nah see is bare foolishness them telling the people. Berbicians need to wise up and realise is the government running things not the PPP, so let them follow them and see how them gun get help,” the businessman said. The businessman continued that he also met with the Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo briefly and had “a nice chat.”

Scores gathered at the Central Housing and Planning Authority booth

He even expressed surprise that the PM recognised him from a previous meeting where he dealt with another issue he had. The booths closed off at 17:00hrs with the ministers dispersing to different communities across the region for public meetings.

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