PM to appoint special rep in Berbice – To address county’s concerns in a timely manner

PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo on Saturday announced that he will be appointing a representative to be stationed in Berbice to listen and channel all complaints of residents there to the respective government offices.The Prime Minister made this announcement at his first community outreach programme held at the Whim Cricket Ground.
“Soon I will appoint someone in Berbice to be the Prime Minister’s representative of Berbice and we will open an office, where this representative of the Prime Minister will receive all the complaints and channel them to the nearest ministers and officials for attention, so that you know that we are your servants.
“We are elected to serve you, to attend to your problems, to attend to your needs,” he told those gathered.
The Prime Minister’s announcement came amidst complaints from residents of Region 6 that their grievances are not being addressed in a timely fashion.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minster addressed the appointment of Dr. Veerasammy Ramayya as Regional Executive Officer of Region 6.
Nagamootoo noted that it was his intention to name Ramayya the Prime Minister’s representative in Berbice but he later realised that he would “limit him” and “so he is now identified as the REO and for the next four months of this year Dr Ramayya has $260M to spend along with the Regional Chairman.
“And we hope that you would put pressure on this region to deliver all $260M to you. You need better roads, better streets, better drainage, bridges, burial grounds and therefore I believe that he is put in a position to deliver and we will ensure that he delivers, because our government is committed to action the time for words are behind us,” he added.
The Prime Minister said the time has come for there to be a change in the way politicians act, stating that there is no place for “cuss down politics.”
“This is not the time for picketing, but building. We have bigger problems; we have a country to defend.”
Nagamootoo who grew up in Whim, Corentyne, said inclusive governance is the key to a successful country. “We want to welcome them. We may have political differences but we love Guyana dearly. Anything we do now must be in the best interest of Guyana and we must send a message to Venezuela that we are united.”
‘Discrimination’
The Prime Minister denied the opposition’s claims that persons of a particular ethnic group were being dismissed from the public service, saying that the opposition is attempting to paint the government in a bad light.
“I do not know of widespread discrimination.” He added that the government does not have a battle against the PPP, noting that the party secured a “large chunk of votes at the May 11 elections and is a “credible opposition.”
In light of efforts to attain social cohesion, the Prime Minister said: “We want them to enter into talks with us, where we can cooperate on many of the things we can do for Guyana.” Doors”, he said have been opened, “We cannot avoid the PPP.”
Promised made in 100-Day Action Plan
Meanwhile, The Prime Minister said the APNU+AFC government has lived up to the many promises it made on the campaign trail, while pointing out that those that have not yet been fulfilled are in progress.
“We fulfilled most of the promises we made to you,” he said, while listing many of the government’s accomplishments, namely, the promised reduction of the Berbice River Bridge toll, increase in salary for government workers, increase in old age pension, reduction of the Presidents’ Pension benefits, and the many conferences held since the government took office.
The community meeting saw several hundred residents who were all eager to listen to the plans of the Prime Minister and his team. Residents were able to interact and discuss their many issues with representatives of the Guyana Water Incorporated, Guyana Power and Light Corporation, and the National Insurance Scheme.
Many of the residents lauded the government for the initiative, noting that they are pleased government is showing an interest in their well-being.
Stacy Charransingh told the Guyana Chronicle that for months she and her husband have been trying to meet with senior officials of the National Insurance Scheme but to no avail. On Saturday she said she spoke with the representative who indicated that the couple’s issue would be addressed within a few days.
“I am pleased. I spoke with the people here and they have promised to deal with my matter. I hope I can get a response soon,” the woman said.
Michael Singh, a pensioner, said he has been having electricity problems for months but every time he visited the power company, he was promised a visit but no representative visits his home. Singh said a commitment was made by the GPL official present to investigate his matter.
“The man I met said he will have the technicians visit my home. I tired going to GPL but after I hear the ministers coming I decided to try my luck.”
Also present at the Community Outreach was Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan, Javon Stephens, Director Health Services Region 6, and Charandas Persaud, Member of Parliament.

By Ariana Gordon