Gov’t institutions now working better – Minister Hughes

Georgetown, GINA, May 12, 2016

Minister of Public Telecommunications Catherine Hughes has expressed the view that the Government has achieved a lot during its first year in office, however, there is much more that needs to be done since the process of change is a long one.

Minister Hughes told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that, “when I look at what we have been able to achieve and what we still need to do, I understand even better now that the process of change is in fact a long process.”

One of the major successes which the Minister spoke of is the strengthening of state institutions to make them serve citizens effectively. “I am excited that we have been able to look at the institutions of Government and make them stronger, and for example ensuring that infrastructure works better.”

Specific mention was made of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and the work it has executed over the past year.

“We are guaranteeing that ordinary people don’t have the challenges of too much water in their homes and all the losses that come with that sometimes,” Minister Hughes pointed out.

Guyana is now known to the world through significant marketing efforts, Minister Hughes said. She pointed out achievements for the year in the tourism sector. “In November of last year, we had a British company that listed Guyana as one of 12 places in the world that you should visit in 2016, that’s marketing we can’t afford to pay for, and at the end of the day, more visitors have come to Guyana.”

Meanwhile in the telecommunications sector, Minister Hughes pointed to the process of reform that has been advanced as Guyana is now accessing 4G internet service.

“We had legislation that sat in a select committee at the parliament dormant since 2012, and we are now bringing that legislation to the parliament. We have taken the strong decision to allocate additional frequency, and most Guyana knows we are moving towards 4G, so I want to say please be patient with us, we can’t change what we developed over the past 23 years or more overnight, but I commit to you we will make a difference  in your life.”

Minister Hughes has committed to working with all stakeholders and Guyanese to ensure that Guyana becomes a better place, where equal opportunities are provided to all.

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