Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond at the ribbon-cutting ceremony
The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has opened the doors of its new sub-office located in the town of Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), at the administrative office of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).
Aimed at expanding the reach of its services and bettering all aspects of trade, the sub-office will carry out functions inclusive of inspection services and testing of concrete hollow blocks, along with the verification of scales and masses.
The office will be staffed with workers from the Bureau.
During the simple opening ceremony, held at the office, Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond noted that the opening of the GNBS sub-office in Bartica was a practical demonstration that this Administration was serious about business development in Guyana.
Walrond further noted that the establishment of the new office would eliminate the need to travel long distances to access core services offered by the national standards body. This, she added, will make doing business easier, which is high on the Government’s agenda.
“No longer is there a need to journey to Georgetown or for the GNBS to journey to Bartica to inspect products, complete registrations, verify fuel pumps, etc. Now, put that into a contextual perspective and examine the cost and time-saving elements. A trip to Georgetown amounts to no less than $7000. That does not include food, accommodation, and other costs. In some cases, you may have to make several trips. This might have meant closing business or redirecting your productive time during your sojourn to the capital. I am happy to usher in this new era, where you can stay right in Bartica, save your money, save your time, and still access these critical services,” she explained.
Walrond added that “we all are desirous of accurate measurements for goods purchased, and our expectation is value for money…These aspects are imperatives for business competitiveness and the boosting of consumer confidence. Therefore, the establishment of this office continues along the trajectory of establishing standards for the provision of goods and services in our nation.”
Meanwhile, acting Executive Director of the Bureau, Ramrattie Karan, in her address, pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting restrictions on travelling had reinforced the importance of decentralising the services of the Bureau.
She noted that in keeping with its strategic plan and vision, “with support from the Government of Guyana … the Bureau seeks to continuously develop the national quality infrastructure to foster sustainable socio-economic development and consumer protection”.
With this new office, the GNBS now has a total of six sub-offices across the country; the others are in Anna Regina (Region Two); Vreed-en-Hoop (Region Three); New Amsterdam and Skeldon (Region Six) and Lethem (Region Nine).
Also attending the event were Regional Vice Chairman Nageshwarie Persaud, Mayor Gifford Marshall, Deputy Mayor Aretha Embelton and Regional Commander, Senior Superintendent Dion Moore among other officials.
