Residents of Port Kaituma and within the Matarkai sub-region of Barima-Waini (Region One)
will soon be able to benefit from the services of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM),
when a regional office is constructed there.
This follows the approval of GECOM’s $4.1B 2022 budget. It was stated that from this amount,
$45M will go towards the construction of a GECOM registration office at Port Kaituma. Works
are expected to commence on the building this year. It was noted that a significant development
like this is a step in the right direction for the region, as government continues to improve the
services offered by the elections body.
Regional Chairman, Brentnol Ashley revealed that the initiative further cements government’s
commitment to providing equal access to services to citizens, despite their geographical location.
“We, at the regional level see the importance of this structure and we know that Port Kaituma
would be a great benefit once works are completed. This facility is not only for the people of
Port Kaituma, but the entire Matarkai sub-region, because then they we will be able to better
offer their services that are needed for the people, such as replacement of ID and registration for
ID cards, among others,” he explained.
He disclosed that GECOM currently rents a facility within the sub-region. Ashley continued,
“GECOM has permanent staff stationed here, but the only thing that they do not have is a
permanent facility (in the region). What they normally do on a month-to-month basis, is rent a
facility which is identified as the sub-region registration office to conduct business.” The RC
said that the establishment of the office is one of the many initiatives set to open new
opportunities to the residents there as the region advances its development.
He noted that this year’s budget saw the approval of $783M to host the Local Government
Elections (LGE). These sums cover security, equipment maintenance, procurement of containers,
and storage of sensitive election materials.
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