The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) yesterday opened a new sub-office in Bartica, Cuyuni/Mazaruni at the Regional Democratic Council’s (RDC) Administrative Office.
A release from GNBS said that this will result in the expansion of core services to the residents of Region Seven. Officers of the Bureau will now be positioned in the mining town to provide inspection services and testing of concrete hollow blocks along with the verification of scales and masses.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Oneidge Walrond in brief remarks noted that the establishment of the new office will eliminate the need to travel long distances to access core services offered by the GNBS.
“No longer is there a need to journey to Georgetown or for the GNBS to journey to Bartica to inspect products, complete registrations, verify Fuel Pumps, etc. Now, put that into a contextual perspective and examine the cost and time-saving elements. A trip to Georgetown amounts to no less than $7,000. That does not include food, accommodation, and other costs. In some cases, you may have to make several trips. This might have meant closing business or redirecting your productive time during your sojourn to the capital. I am happy to usher in this new era, where you can stay right in Bartica, save your money, save your time and still access these critical services,” she outlined.
According to the release, Acting Executive Director of the Bureau, Ramrattie Karan in her address pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting restrictions on travelling have reinforced the importance of decentralizing the services of the Bureau. With this new office, the GNBS now has a total of six sub-offices across the country; the others are in Anna Regina (Region Two), Vreed-en-Hoop (Region Three), New Amsterdam and Skeldon (Region Six) and Lethem (Region Nine), the release said.
According to Head of the Legal Metrology Services at the Bureau, Shailendra Rai, residents of Region Seven will now be able to undertake verification of scales used in markets, supermarkets clinics, shops and hospitals.
