Residents of Linden and other parts of Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice) were afforded the opportunity of meeting directly with ministers of government and various agencies on Friday, during the hosting of “Meet the Public Day” organised by the Ministry of the Presidency (MOTP).
Representatives from the Ministry of Communities meeting with residents of Linden
Scores of citizens went to the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Ground to meet the officials including Ministers Joseph Harmon, Simona Broomes, Valerie Adams-Patterson, Sydney Alicock, Volda Lawrence, director of sports Christopher Jones, among others.
Agencies present were the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, Guyana Water Inc and the National Insurance Scheme.
The ministers were greeted by residents who sought to have issues regarding land, passports, birth certificates and others rectified.
During an introductory address to the gathering, Harmon noted that the Public Day provided a chance for decisions to be made on the ground, as it relates to issues which affect people in the Region. The Minister said the aim is to bring government to the people in an effort to serve them.
“Today, we continue a series of activities aimed at taking the government to the people. This is not just a ‘meet the people’, it is an exercise that deals with issues which affect you as citizens. And what we have done, we have actually brought the government up here… so that they can listen to you and they can make decisions here. This is not just about listening because the decision-makers are here,” he said.
Also present was Regional Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira who said he was happy over the initiative.
During an interview Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources Simona Broomes also expressed optimism at addressing concerns and being provided the opportunity to serve the people of Region 10.
Speaking with this newspaper after making use of the service, a woman indicated that she was able to receive the help she needed for public assistance. The woman said the steps she had to take were outlined and she was looking forward to doing so:
“I need help with my children. I get four children and it’s hard, it’s very hard because I don’t get help from the father and I need help so I come to seek help with the public assistance to help with the transportation, to get food for they eat and stuff like that.”
Another resident Howell Hinds said that he was able to relate his water issues to the GWI representatives, as they promised to look into the situation: “The kind of response I was able to get from the people here, I am satisfied because most of the problems that I came about, they gave me a positive indication that the matter is going to be handled…I hope that they live up to the promises made.”
A pensioner who spoke to this newspaper related that he was there to have a community issue addressed, as he highlighted that there were abandoned homes adjacent to his, which are overgrown by vegetation. He said he sought help since this was affecting him tremendously.
Speaking at the venue, however, deputy director of Community Development Councils Sandra Adams said there is a system in place to allow for a follow-up to the issues discussed by residents who were all provided forms to fill out.
