By Bebi Shafeah Oosman
THE process to establish service centres in Region Six has commenced with three locations expected to open before the end of March – something Berbicians are eagerly anticipating.
Regional Chairman, Junior Basant, who was present on Wednesday for the identification of locations and met with persons applying for several vacancies stated, “as part of the government initiative to meet the people within their communities, we are rolling out a series of service agencies as mandated by the His Excellency, the President.”
According to Basant, the centres are expected to be in Palmyra, Port Mourant and Corriverton. Some of the agencies that will be housed at these locations include the Digital Identification Card office, General Register Office, Guyana Digital School and Immigration.
“These centres will be spread across Region Six and will bring critical services that the people need and will be able to access on a daily basis,” he emphasised.
The Chairman pointed out that most of these services were previously centralised and as such, persons had to incur huge costs and endure lengthy travel time. However, when the centres are opened, these issues will “become a thing of the past and people will be able to access these on a daily basis.”
Additionally, he said the fact that the Digital ID Card will be available at the service centres is exciting news for the residents of Region Six.
Meanwhile, a young business owner of Canefield, Niomi Bhimsain, spoke highly of the centres explaining that “establishing inter-governmental agencies such as the E-ID card system, passport offices and the digital school initiative will bring meaningful change to residents of Corentyne.”
She said, “sub-post offices will improve access to essential services, reducing travel time and costs for families, seniors, and small business owners. The E-ID card system will modernise identification, making it easier to access banking, healthcare, and government services while improving security and efficiency.”
She added that, “The digital school initiative will enhance education by providing students with modern technology and online resources, helping to bridge the digital divide and prepare young Guyanese for future opportunities. Together, these initiatives will strengthen community development, improve accessibility, and support for residents.”
Another young professional from the Corentyne, Aarifah Khan, who studies at the University of Guyana’s Tain Campus said that she believes “it will make services that were once difficult to access, easier”
According to her, such locations at prime spots in the region will also be a plus for persons trying to access and update their documents. “In essence it will be an easier, efficient and reliable service in a modern way,” she pointed out.
