The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, opened the doors of its brand-new sub-office in the town of Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini).
GNBS Executive Director (ag) Ramrattie Karan
The modernised and expanded facility which was built in the compound of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), will better enable the GNBS to provide its core services to the residents of the remote region.
Delivering remarks at the opening ceremony, acting GNBS Executive Director Ramrattie Karan highlighted the services to be offered to the residents through the Mabaruma sub-office included verification of measuring instruments, product inspections, training, and technical assistance for businesses. According to Karan, these services will enable all businesses in the region to be competitive. She also thanked the regional administration and the business community for their past and future support.
Director of Business at the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry, John Edghill
Public Relations Officer of the Mabaruma Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Trevor Rupan, who also addressed the ceremony, stated that the establishment of the office in Region One was welcomed; and would positively impact the products produced by businesses.
Meanwhile, Mabaruma Mayor Chris Phang welcomed the GNBS to the town. He advised that the services to be provided by the office were directly related to the Government’s vision. “With the rapid development experienced, we must safeguard the interest of consumers which the GNBS can provide, and I am happy that Mabaruma is not left out of the developmental drive led by His Excellency, Irfaan Ali,” the Mayor added.
Region One Chairman Brentnol Ashley, in his remarks, said “…Region One is on the verge of better heights. Once the right services are in place, the development will happen at a faster rate.”
Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley
The Regional Chairman believes that the new GNBS office demonstrated a commitment to the “One Guyana” initiative, and he was delighted that the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry was setting the pace, through standards, of providing Government services to the region.
Attending the opening ceremony was the Director of Business, John Edghill, who proudly stated, “the work of the GNBS holds well for the Government.”
He acknowledged the extreme growth of Guyana’s economy and advised that it must transcend across the regions of the country. Meanwhile speaking to the business community, he advised that it was better to build capacity through services like those provided by the GNBS rather than to try to get small financing through grants, etc.
“Services provided to these businesses will make them competitive and sustainable in the long run,” he explained. Finally, the Director of Business encouraged the local authorities to support the work of the GNBS.
Regional Executive Officer Tikaram Bissessar committed to offering support to the officer stationed at the GNBS office to provide transportation and other resources required to visit the other sub-districts in the region.
The opening ceremony was also attended by Regional Education Officer Elly Peterkin; Postmaster Rainsford Smith; Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) representative Samuel Drepaul; Regional Commander Senior Superintendent Himnauth Sawh and Guyana Defence Force (GDF) representatives among others.
The Mabaruma office is the 10th sub-office opened by the GNBS in administrative regions across the country. With support from the Government, the GNBS has successfully established offices in Anna Regina (Region Two); Vreed-en-Hoop (Region Three); Fort Wellington (Region Five); New Amsterdam and Corriverton (Region Six); Bartica (Region Seven); Mahdia (Region Eight); Lethem (Region Nine) and now Mabaruma, (Region One).
While in Mabaruma, the visiting GNBS team a held several meetings with stakeholders, including the Mabaruma Town Council, the Police, the regional administration, and the Mabaruma Chamber of Commerce and Industry to discuss mutual concerns and areas for collaboration.
Further, a school lecture was conducted by students at the North West Secondary School and an interview was conducted with Radio Mabaruma 95.1FM to create awareness of GNBS and its services in the region.
Stakeholders needing to contact the GNBS’s Mabaruma office can call: +592-690-8032 to speak with Inspector Johnathan Peters, who is stationed in town.
