– VP Jagdeo praised
HUNDREDS of Guyanese gathered at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Monday to engage with Vice President (VP) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo and other government officials, expressing satisfaction with how their concerns were addressed. This initiative aimed to provide direct interaction between citizens and the government, facilitating the resolution of various issues.
George Jones from Public Road, Little Diamond, on the East Bank of Demerara, shared his positive experience with the Guyana Chronicle. “I’m very happy to be given the opportunity to fix a housing issue that was caused by my negligence,” Jones said. He explained that he had applied for a house lot long ago, but had not followed up. During the meeting, the housing ministry provided him with a form to update his information and organise the necessary steps. Jones praised the respectful and helpful attitude of the ministers and their staff, noting that everyone received excellent service.
“I must also say that the ministers to the staff were very nice in dealing with the people—not just me, but everyone that I saw came through the door. I am very, very pleased with the service, and I want them to know that I very much appreciate that.”
While expressing his gratitude to the Vice President and the government for the “brilliant” initiative, Mr. Jones advised that they should not allow the people who aren’t pleased to stop them from making progress.
“So far, I must say that the government is doing what they have to do for everybody. This gesture was brilliant by the VP and the government, and we very much recognise that. Some people will say that the government isn’t doing anything, and some will say that they are, but everyone needs to understand that at the end of the day, we are all one, and we should come together and realise that all that they are trying to do is help Guyanese. This is not a colour thing; this is about helping Guyanese, and I am 100 percent happy with what they are doing,” Mr. Jones added.
Also speaking with the Guyana Chronicle was Mr. Bisham Singh from Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, who explained that he worked in the hospitality department on a cruise ship for several years but was in disbelief that the Vice President and other high government officials can be so welcoming and gracious in assisting their people and their issues.
According to him, “the process here today was excellent, and what is so amazing is that anyone from anywhere could have come here today and met with any government official and told them about your concerns. Having worked in the hospitality industry for years, this is beautiful to see. I cannot think of another country other than ours where government officials are going to this length to help their people.
“My son and I came here today because I had applied for a house lot, so I was following up on that, and I was told that everything went through already and was in place. Right now, all I have to do is wait for them to call me; my payments were made, and everything is good. We are happy and pleased with this news.”
Mr. Singh also mentioned that he spoke with and sorted out some issues that he also had with the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). According to him, the representatives were very “willing and kind” in addressing his concerns.
Furthermore, a single parent of two children who requested to be anonymous said that he had been involved in an accident that resulted in the breaking of both of his legs and arms and leaving him crippled.
He explained that he met with the officials from housing, and they advised him to apply for his house lot. According to him, “this gives me hope for not just me, but for my children as well. They are the ones that I am trying to give something to. I am doing this for them, and I must thank the government for their help today.
Additionally, the Minister within the Ministry of Housing, Susan Rodrigues, explained that the aim of Monday’s event at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre was an aspect of the government’s overarching ideology of ensuring that they remain accessible.
Explaining to the public that there isn’t any issue that is too small or big for the PPP/C to deal with, Minister Rodrigues said, “This was the initiative by the Vice President, Dr. Jagdeo, who had made himself personally available here today, and he would have asked for support from some of the critical ministries, such as the Ministry of Housing and Water.
“We are happy that the members of the public turned out in their hundreds, and we will be here today to deal with all the concerns until everyone is satisfied, and the issues and concerns are addressed.”
With regard to the fearmongering tactics employed by the opposition, Minister Rodrigues asserted that the people have discerned their (the opposition) motives and mischievous deeds, leading to their ineffectiveness. According to her, there were no invitations or phone calls that were sent out for people to show up in their numbers at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.
“Today is a perfect example of how we meet and treat our people. The Vice President announced that it was a public day, which means that any Guyanese with any issue from any part of the country and come to him or the other ministries [sic] and get their matters addressed. There has never been and there will never be criteria to meet with us; we are for the people, all the people and today with this diverse crowd anyone can see that.”
