An official sod-turning ceremony to kick-start the construction of the Ministry of Public Health’s laboratory and the Guyana Gold Board’s Head Office was held at the site of the proposed building yesterday.
According to a Ministry of Natural Resources (MoNR) release, the Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence and Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman were present to turn the sod in the presence of Chairman of the Guyana Gold Board (GGB), GHK Lall; General Manager, Eondrene Thompson; and representatives of the Ministry of Public Health, MoNR and the Gold Board.
The building will be constructed along the Rupert Craig Highway, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, and will contain offices as well as laboratory facilities. The building will be located as the site that formerly hosted the health agency, GAHEF. Prior to GAHEF it accommodated the well-known Carib Hotel.
During her brief remarks, Lawrence highlighted her ministry’s plans for the building and admitted her awareness of the limited conditions in which MoPH staff currently operate. She also noted that the soon-to-be constructed laboratory will guarantee a better quality of inspection, analysis and testing and optimum efficiency, thereby enhancing the services offered by the MoPH.
Trotman, in his remarks included a brief background of how the twin project evolved. He maintained that the movement of the GGB to a new “home” from which to operate and provide services to Guyanese is in keeping with the mandate of the sector. He also expressed a personal sense of satisfaction that his promise to find a permanent abode for the GGB was being realised. Minister Trotman further noted that the Board remains a strong pillar of the natural resources sector and Guyana, as the revenues collected account for a significant portion of the country’s GDP. Referencing the recently opened GGB office in Port Kaituma, the Minister applauded the Board and the Management of the Gold Board for continuing to advance its mandate and maintaining its commitment to making services accessible throughout the country.
Speaking on behalf of the GGB, Thompson said that the event is significant for the Board because it has always shared space since its establishment. She noted her satisfaction now that the GGB is one-step closer to having a home of its own.
