Owen Ross walked into the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) with two problems and walked out with both resolved. A pending house lot matter and a National Insurance Scheme (NIS) issue tied to a former employer were settled in a single afternoon.

“I’ve been waiting a little while concerning my house lot, and I got it sorted out. It was very lovely,” he told the Department of Public Information (DPI).

Ross was one of hundreds of residents who turned up on Monday for a Public Day hosted by Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo and members of the Cabinet, where they met with people one-on-one to hear and address their concerns on the spot.

VP Jagdeo said the idea was simple.

“Hopefully, at the end of the day, we’ll be able to resolve many of the issues faced by many of our people, and even if we can’t resolve it today, set out a process through which we can resolve it by meeting them subsequently,” the VP told reporters.

Some residents braved the rain to attend. One attendee said it was worth the effort.

“The presentation was good and the timeline was very efficient. My issue was dealt with immediately and I feel really good to have interacted with them and seeing them on the ground with the laymen,” the resident said.

For some, it worked exactly that way. Leomie Jacobs, a mother of three raising her children alone, said she got through to a minister and left feeling like someone had truly listened.

“It means a lot. It really encourages me,” she said.

Abiola Smith had a similar experience.

She said she came in, met with the VP and left with her problem resolved.

“I think they’re doing a good thing. If you have any issues, you have to come down, and you will get attended to,” she said, adding, “A lot of people might say that they’re not getting this and that, but that’s why this event is very important, so all can come and get their problems solved.”

Miss Presta almost stayed home.

She said fear nearly kept her away, but the moment she arrived, that changed.

“People talk so much, but when you actually meet the persons, they are nothing like what people said,” she remarked, adding, “I was here to see the VP and I’m leaving smiling.”

A recently registered small contractor said the day gave him direct access to senior ministers he otherwise would not have had.

Singer Kaya, who raised matters centred on culture and tourism, said she appreciated being able to handle issues in real time.

“You find out a lot of things that are happening that you might not be aware of, and you get first-hand references being done right here on the ground,” she said.

Community representative Malaika Boxhill from Leopold Street also commended the Public Day initiative and called for similar activities to continue.

“If they do it every six months, it will be good to help persons because a lot of persons need help,” she said. (DPI)