OPM office in Region Six effective in people-govt relations

DPI, Guyana, Friday, April 20, 2018

The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) has an appointed functioning representative in East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six) to manage the government’s complaints’ division in the Region.

This unit is managed by Regional Democratic Councillor, Gobin Harbhajan.

In an interview with Department of Public Information (DPI), Harbhajan indicated that the need for such an office was cited after it was recognised that residents often travelled to Georgetown, where the central government is located to lodge complaints on issues encountered back in the region.

The OPM Representative’s office now bridges that gap which brings urgent intervention to pressing matters in the area. Region Six is administratively governed by the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) but Councillor Harbhajan noted that some persons prefer to have their matters directed to the government.

“I think this office is at a central point which is very important. For more than fifty years, there has not been such an office in this region. This office allows people to come with their complaints from the agricultural sector, the National Insurance Scheme (NIS,) the Guyana Power and Light (GPL,) whatever problems they have. Our office will guide them to the relevant ministry or agencies or Nieghbourhood Democratic Council (NDCs) or whatever agency can solve the problem,” Harbhajan explained

The unit also facilitates continuous outreaches and visits by ministries, such as public health, agriculture and communities to the region, to remedy longstanding issues that have been stymied due to lack of political cooperation. Essentially, it brings the people of Region Six to the government and vice versa.

“We try to just give guidance as to where they could go (and how they can get help). More so, we work through the region (with) the Regional Chairman (RC) and the Regional Executive Officer (REO) and also the RDC council, (me being a councillor) it gives me a bit of leverage with what’s happening in the region,” the OPM representative added.

 

By: Delicia Haynes