Scores brave the weather to attend Reg. 5 govt outreach

― GPF, ambulance on site to ensure no hiccups

― several ministers arrive earlier than expected to meet with residents

― CH&PA has longest line thus far

DPI, Guyana, Thursday, April 25, 2019

The “government comes to you” outreach kicked off at 10:00hrs today. Despite overcast skies, scores of residents were seen queued to get their forms to have their issues addressed at the respective booths. Several residents took their seats as early as 7:00hrs in the Fort Wellington Regional Democratic Council (RDC) compound.

As the event got underway, the Department of Public Information (DPI) spoke to some of the residents who shared their views on the initiative.

Anita Tilak, a single parent, shared that she needed a house lot and was here to see if that was possible. “I have children, and long I apply for house and land.”

70-year-old Merian Benjamin also came looking for assistance in securing a property. “I need help, I hoping they can help me today,” Benjamin said.

Residents at queuing at the fifth Government outreach at fourth

Residents at queuing at the fifth Government outreach at fourth

Residents at the Guyana Water Incorporated booth

Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally and her team attending to a resident

Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder presents a lease to a resident who applied

Junior Finance Minister Jaipaul Sharma listens to a resident

Junior Minister of Health Karen Cummings and Chief Medical Officer Shamdeo Persaud assist a resident with her necessary paper work

Though a higher percentage of the people we spoke with were looking for assistance with housing, there were others who came looking for employment and training and National Insurance Scheme (NIS) related matters.

Security was also on hand to ensure the event got underway without hiccups.

In the meantime, several government ministers arrived earlier than expected to meet the residents of Region 5; Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes, Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally, Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, Minister of Health, Volda Lawrence, Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix, and Minister of Public Affairs, Dawn Hastings-Williams.

Felecia Valenzuela

Image: Department of Public Information