Citizenship Minister Winston Felix on Saturday visited Thomas Hill, Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini), where he addressed the residents’ concerns about the need for improved delivery of birth certificates in far-flung communities.
He assured that measures would be put in place to better the current distribution of certificates in the community.
“We are here today to ensure your needs are met, to evaluate each community’s development and to fix what is lacking. As I am here, I urge those who have issues with their existing birth papers to come forward so that your issue can be documented,” Felix told the gathering.
The Department of Public Information (DPI) reported that the Minister also outlined the measures his office has implemented thus far to decentralise citizenship, immigration and birth registration services across the country.
He noted that to date, two new passport and immigration offices have been opened – one in Linden and the other in Berbice to the tune of $31 million and $57.5 million respectively. Both will provide services in the provision of birth, marriage and death certificates.
Before meeting with the residents, Felix also conducted a walk-about to assess development within the community. He noted that there was a “well-constructed primary school, a solar farm, proper water storage and distribution for the villagers”.
These services, he assured, were just a start and the Administration would continue to provide more to the hinterland communities.
A resident, Sheila Adams related that for years the small community has suffered from several shortages, such as inadequate water and poor health service.
