Paradigm changed on what it means to govt with outreaches – DG Harmon

By Isaiah Braithwaite

DPI, Guyana, Friday, May 31, 2019

The ‘Government comes to you’ outreaches across the region is a way of interacting with residents and including them in the decision-making process. This was the view expressed by the Director-General at the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon when asked to justify the need for more than $300M in the last supplementary budget for this activity.

During the weekly post-Cabinet press briefing, the Director-General said the need for the outreaches arose based on feedback ministers received during various outreaches that people needed to see those who they elected to govern the country more often. He also pointed out that when the Coalition Government took office, the expectation created by the previous administration, was that things can only be done through the ministers.

“We have changed that paradigm and what we have done is to move government services to the people,” the Director-General related. “As you see, we are doing outreaches all across the country, in all of the ten administrative regions of Guyana because we believe that it is the right thing to do. We believe that article 13 of the constitution which speaks to inclusive governance, requires that the persons who govern, must listen to the people who they govern” he underscored.

The government outreaches have, thus far, benefitted and impacted the lives of thousands of Guyanese. During the outreaches, persons had access to all services provided by the government. Thus far, outreaches were held in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 and 10. A similar initiative will be carried out in Regions 1, 7 and 8 in coming weeks.

Image: Giovanni Gajie