-welcome the opportunity to engage directly with Vice-President Jagdeo, key government ministers, and other officials

CITIZENS who attended Friday’s Public Day outreach in Region Six have praised the Government of Guyana’s continued efforts to bring services directly to communities, describing the exercise as an effective way to raise concerns, access government services and receive immediate assistance.
The outreach, led by Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo and supported by ministers, regional officials and representatives from several government agencies, attracted residents seeking help with housing, utilities, land ownership, pensions, and other public services.
Many attendees said the exercise demonstrated the government’s commitment to engaging citizens and ensuring that issues affecting communities are addressed promptly.
Among those in attendance was Devika Deonarine, who said the initiative provided residents with an important opportunity to engage directly with senior government officials.
“The people of Region Six should be very happy and very proud, because, at least they get to see the VP; the Vice-President, who is the General Secretary. It is a very good thing. They see the people are concerned,” Deonarine said.
She added that the outreach reflected the government’s willingness to listen and respond to citizens’ concerns.
“They are here for the people. They care; it is very important, because you can get to voice your concern with them. It’s a good initiative for the rest of the people; they are doing a very good job,” she said.
Another resident, Renoughter Douglas, described the process as organised and efficient.

“It was quite okay; very polite, friendly. And the system moved very fast. As long as you come here, you will get through,” Douglas said.
She welcomed the government’s efforts to engage citizens directly in their communities.
“It’s nice seeing that the government is coming to reach the people and the people are going to reach them,” she added.
For resident Seeram Ramdass, the outreach provided an opportunity to seek clarification on a long-standing land title issue.
“I come to get my title. The new Ministry of Housing in Amsterdam gave me a paper that I will go and check out next year. I signed up because I was trying early times,” Ramdass explained.
According to him, the issue has remained unresolved despite years of effort.
“Since 2020, I pay for surveying and every time I come back, they measure my measurements. But I am satisfied with what they told me here today,” he said.
Young mother Shakira Seetaram also praised the atmosphere and accessibility of the outreach.
“The process for me was not really hard. As soon as I came, I went in and the greetings with the ministers was very nice,” Seetaram said.
She noted that such initiatives provide an important platform for citizens to have their voices heard.
“We had a great time and we’re hoping to look forward to something like this again. I think this is the way of seeing the public, meeting everyone’s needs and a way of the public voice being heard,” she added.
Also sharing her experience was Yvette Kertzious, a member of the New Amsterdam Lions Club, who attended to discuss concerns regarding water charges affecting the organisation.
“It was a very pleasant experience, no rush. I went into the Ministry of Water Authority to deal with an issue with my club. I am a member of the New Amsterdam Lions Club,” Kertzious said.
She explained that the club had been facing high water bills for an extended period and sought assistance from officials.
“We were having high water bills for the longest while. I was in there to discuss that matter with them to see if they can eliminate some of the consumption costs for us to reduce the price or the costs that we are paying presently,” she said.
According to Kertzious, officials immediately responded to the concern.
“Immediately after saying that, she said that they are going to bring our bill back to the usual 4,000 that we were normally paying. I was happy to hear that,” she said.
The outreach formed part of the government’s ongoing effort to bring services closer to citizens and provide direct access to senior officials and technical personnel.
For many residents, the exercise not only offered solutions to longstanding issues but also reinforced confidence that their concerns were being heard and acted upon.