Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo will today lead another government public outreach initiative in Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice), offering residents a direct opportunity to engage with Cabinet ministers and senior government officials on issues affecting their communities.
The engagement is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. at Watooka House in Linden, where residents from across the region are expected to meet one-to-one with members of the administration to discuss concerns, request assistance, and receive updates on government programmes and projects.
The exercise forms part of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government’s nationwide public day initiative, which aims to strengthen communication between citizens and the government and to ensure that public concerns are addressed efficiently.
Residents will be able to raise a wide range of matters, including housing and land applications, National Insurance Scheme (NIS) issues, public assistance, drainage, community infrastructure, street lighting, and other public service concerns. Representatives from several government agencies will also be present to help resolve issues or initiate follow-up action as necessary.
Similar outreach exercises in other regions have resulted in thousands of Guyanese receiving direct assistance, with many matters resolved immediately and more complex cases referred to the relevant ministries and agencies for further action.
Speaking at a recent public engagement, Dr Jagdeo emphasised the initiative’s importance, noting that the government is committed to fulfilling its commitments to citizens.
“We’ve run the campaign, and now we have to deliver on what we promised our people,” the Vice-President said, explaining that bringing ministers and technical officers directly into communities enables long-standing issues to be addressed more effectively.
He added that while the goal is to resolve as many matters as possible during the engagement, systems are also in place to ensure that unresolved cases receive proper follow-up through the relevant technical teams and subsequent meetings.
The Region Ten outreach takes place against the backdrop of significant government investment in Linden and surrounding communities over the past six years.
According to the government, billions of dollars have been invested in infrastructure, healthcare, education, energy, and community development to accelerate growth across the region.
Road construction has been among the largest areas of investment, with numerous local contractors benefiting from projects to improve community roads and to upgrade the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.
Flood mitigation has also been prioritised through more than $1.5 billion of drainage works carried out between 2020 and 2024, targeting communities including Wismar and Mackenzie. Additional work, including upgrades to the Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge and the surrounding road network, is underway.
Sporting and transport infrastructure have also expanded with the opening of the modern Bayrock National Stadium. At the same time, plans remain to transform the Linden airstrip into a regional aviation hub to improve connectivity and support tourism.
Energy development is another major focus, highlighted by the signing of a US$22.5 million contract to build a 15-megawatt solar farm in Linden. Once completed, the project will be Guyana’s largest solar energy facility, provide cleaner electricity, reduce dependence on imported fuel, and complement existing electricity and water subsidies for residents.
The government has also sought to stimulate economic activity and job creation in the region through new private-sector investment. The Guyana Office for Investment has announced investment initiatives worth tens of millions of dollars, including the expansion of a cement manufacturing operation and the establishment of oxygen bottling and packaging facilities in Linden by a medical supply company.
Today’s public day is expected to offer another opportunity for residents to engage directly with Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, Cabinet ministers, and senior officials, as the government continues its nationwide effort to improve service delivery and maintain direct engagement with communities.