Banking services, ATMs, passport & drivers license kiosks, cheaper electricity for Reg 8 – Pres Ali at Mahdia meeting

Residents of Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) will soon benefit from direct access to banking services and key Government services like renewal of drivers licences and passport, among a host of other initiatives aimed at enhancing the lives of persons there. This was announced by President Dr Irfaan Ali at a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) public meeting held in Mahdia on Friday evening.
“You don’t have any banks or branches here. That is why we’re speaking now to the private sector, and they have promised us… in the coming weeks, [to bring] representative offices here in Mahdia,” he announced.

According to Ali, for two days per week, at least one of the commercial banks will be there to serve residents of Mahdia and surrounding communities.
He further revealed that residents can also expect ATMs set up in township.
“We’ve already heard from another provider that they’re going to put in ATMs here in Mahdia and surrounding communities, so that we can bring financial services to you here,” the President stated. Under a new PPP/C Administration, Region Eight residents can also expect Government services like renewal of drivers licences and passports coming to them, removing the burden of having to travel to access these key services.
“Our investment would see right here in this region – you will walk to a kiosk and renew your driver’s licence without leaving here…so that we make life more comfortable. We’ll create the infrastructure here so that you can renew your passport, you can get your new passport, you can get your replacement birth certificate, you can get your marriage certificate; you can have all of those facilities right here in Region Eight, because we believe that every single region must benefit from a minimum level of service, and these are the minimum level of services that we’re going to invest in. These are not small things. These are the things that will bring dignity to citizens,” Ali declared.
The President, who is seeking a second term in office alongside his running mate Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, went on to remind citizens that the PPP/C is not only now promising benefits to them but has been working over the past five years to ensure they have a better quality of life and access to similar critical Government services.
Already, Region Eight is benefitting from a new Magistrate Court as well as a Deeds and Commercial Registry, making it easier for residents to register their businesses, transfer property and access critical legal services.
Billions of dollars have also been invested in key sectors like education, healthcare, tourism and welfare services under the Human Services and Social Security Ministry as well as the Amerindian Affairs Ministry.
Ali told residents that they can look forward to similar developments in these and other sectors over the next five years.
Recognising the challenges residents face for basic utility services like water and electricity, the President revealed that efforts are underway to deliver a sustainable water supply and cheaper, more reliable electricity.
“All of these are projects that are currently underway… By the first of August, you will have more generating capacity and by the time we get up to the end of August, the solar farm will be properly integrated into electricity system. We have invested also in bringing more technical resources, because we are not a party that walks away from challenges, and I want to assure you that in the coming weeks and the coming months, we are working towards reducing your cost of electricity here in Mahdia so you can save more and put more money back in your pockets,” Ali assured.
Moreover, Ali spoke about work the Government is doing in the housing sector, including the building out of new housing areas. Additionally, he disclosed that his Government is currently working on a strategic plan to regularise persons who have been living in Mahdia and other surrounding areas for 10 years and up. These persons will be getting leases for their lands so that they can have formal ownership of their lands.
“Those are the things that we are working on… Because we know when Mahdia rises, Region Eight rises…and when Region Eight rises, Guyana rises. That is why we know that investing in Region Eight is investing in Guyana,” Ali posited.