Ministerial outreach a success!

– Old age pension addressed.

– Youths signed up on site for BIT programmes.

– One on one interaction with officials.

DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Early Wednesday morning persons poured into the Square of the Revolution where they awaited the arrival of several Government Ministers and officials from various departments and agencies to address their issues.

They were taking advantage of the services provided through the massive government outreach. Several booths were erected with the necessary information and resources to provide solutions to the public at large.

A packed booth at the square of the revolution this afternoon.

Persons young and old received information on education, business, housing allocation, community development and social matters among others.

One elderly citizen stated that she was very pleased that the outreach was held since she suffered from a stroke and was unable to move around as frequently as before. The woman said she was satisfied since she received essential information and support to go about addressing her old age pension issues.

“This should happen more often, all my life I never had this opportunity to reach out to Government Ministers, who sat diligently with me and addressed my issues. I can say today, I am very happy that my old age pension became someone else priority.”

Assistant Chief Probation Officer, attached to the Ministry of Social Protection, Ricardo Banwarie, stated that the Pension department which falls under the Ministry of Social Protection is committed to giving back to the senior citizens. He explained that the Department collaborates with the National Commission for the Elderly to represent the elderly.  “Every pension day, the department would provide breakfast for pensioners in Georgetown, in region three, in Linden and Bartica,” Banwarie said.

Minister with responsibility for Department of Labor, Keith Scott interacts with persons of the public.

Senior citizens highlighting their views about the Ministerial outreach.

Minister of Public Service, Rupert Roopnarine arriving on site at the Square of the Revolution.

A satisfied citizen posed for a picture at the Ministerial Outreach.

Assistant Chief Probation Officer, Ricardo Banwarie.

A young woman seeking the relevant information to sign up to the Board of Industrial Training Programme.

A citizen query with the Pension Department about old age benefits.

A Grandmother and her young grandchild awaiting their turn to speak to the relevant authorities.

Among the hundreds of persons who packed the venue were several young people focused on accessing the necessary tools to improve themselves. One young lady who was all smiles mentioned that she was very grateful for the initiative, as she received the guidance on the way forward to develop herself and generate an income.

“I always heard about the Board of Industrial Training Programme and I wanted to be a part of the training since I have a passion for cooking. I came here today, received all the information I needed, I got signed up for a certified cooking course. The process was easy and the Officers at the BIT Department were very helpful.”

The Department of Public Information spoke to other patrons who said they are confident that the Government is heading in the right direction. “Guyana was stagnated by the previous administration, I believe that the No Confidence Motion going to the Caribbean Court of Justice will only strengthen the APNU/AFC Government to take Guyana forward,” one young woman said.

The Ministerial outreach is the first of its kind which is expected to be replicated across the country in the coming weeks.

Ayana George.

Images: Ameer Sattaur.