The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has moved a step closer to its goal of providing its core services to residents of remote regions with the opening of a new sub-office in the town of Mabaruma, Region One, (Barima-Waini).
This was announced in a GNBS release on Thursday which also stated that the modernised and expanded facility was built in the compound of Regional Democratic Council. It was declared open at a ceremony on Wednesday.
The Bureau’s Executive Director (ag), Ramrattie Karan said that some of the services to be offered to the residents through the Mabaruma office include verification of measuring instruments, product inspections, training and technical assistance for businesses. She posited that these services will allow all businesses in the region to be competitive, as she expressed her thanks to the regional administration and business ccommunity for their past and future support.
PRO, Trevor Rupan welcomed the establishment of the GNBS office in Region One and said that it will positively impact the products produced by businesses.
Mabaruma mayor, Chris Phang, welcomed the GNBS to the town and noted that the services to be provided by the office are directly related to the government’s vision. “With the rapid development experienced we must safeguard the interest of consumers which the GNBS can provide, and I am happy that Mabaruma is not left out of the developmental drive led by his Excellency Irfaan Ali.”
And Regional Chairman, Brentnol Ashley in his remarks noted “…Region One is on the verge of better heights. Once the right services are in place, development will happen at a faster rate.” He opined that the new GNBS office demonstrates a commitment to the ‘One Guyana’ initiative and was happy that the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce is setting the pace of providing government services to the Region.
Director of Business in the Ministry of Tourism, John Edghill advised the business community that it was better to build capacity through services like those provided by the GNBS rather than, for example, to try to get small financing through grants. “Services provided to these businesses will make them competitive and sustainable in the long run” he contended.
Regional Executive Officer, Tikaram Bissessar told the gathering of his commitment to offering support to the officer stationed at the GNBS Office by providing transportation and other resources required to visit the other sub-districts in the Region.
The release noted that while in Mabaruma, the visiting GNBS team also held several meetings with stakeholders including the Mabaruma Town Council, the police, the Regional Administration, and the Mabaruma Chamber of Commerce and Industry to discuss mutual concerns and areas for collaboration.
The Mabaruma Office is the tenth sub-office opened by the GNBS in administrative regions across the country. With support from the Government, the GNBS has successfully established offices in Anna Regina (Region Two), Vreed-en-Hoop (Region Three), Fort Wellington (Region Five), New Amsterdam and Corriverton (Region Six), Bartica (Region Seven), Mahdia (Region Eight), Lethem (Region Nine) and now in Mabaruma, (Region One), according to the release.
Stakeholders needing to contact the GNBS Mabaruma Office can call: +592-690-8032 to speak with Inspector Johnathan Peters who is stationed in town, it added.
