Govt outreach receives positive feedback
─ citizens urge that initiative be held throughout the country
DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, March 27, 2019
The Government’s “Bringing the Government to the People” initiative received overwhelmingly positive feedback from citizens today at the Square of the Revolution.
The initiative which began at approximately 9am, saw thousands of Guyanese from various parts of the country encamped around the square waiting their turn, to have their matters of concerns addressed by government ministers and heads of the various departments and agencies.
At the Ministry of Natural Resources booth, matters of mining and land ownership took centre stage.
Prince Bowman, a citizen from West Coast Berbice travelled to the capital city in the hope of having his matter heard by the Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman.
Bowman had purchased 20 mining claims, however, while trying to get a transfer of ownership, he was reportedly challenged by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission for the land.
He told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that after taking the GGMC to court, the outcome was in his favour, the GGMC then took him to court, however again, the outcome was in his favour.
Today he said he needed the Minister’s intervention to have the matter fully settled.
“I placed all my documents before the Minister … and the Minister has recommended for me to have license for those claims … I have every confidence in the minister,” stated Bowman.
Another citizen, Cheryl Vandercruise met with the minister about acquiring land for her organisation, the National Amazon Women Entrepreneurial Development.
“Putting in an application and waiting seems forever and issues are not addressed. We thought if we came, the matter could be expedited … the minister was very pellucid, and I look forward to his answer” said Vandercruise
Another citizen, Francis Anderson, said the government’s consultation with the people augers well for democracy and is in keeping with the constitution.
In the meantime, speaking with DPI, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, said his ministry now has quite a bit of work to do in responding to the matters brought by citizens.
“Today is extremely important because we get a chance to meet people with real issues” he noted.
Adding that he has given himself a time frame of two weeks to respond to the concerns brought before him. “I have given myself two weeks maximum, I think people are frustrated and are deserving of quick answers, quickly as we can provide it.”
Felecia Valenzuela.
Image: Marceano Narine.