GNBS opens new Bartica Branch
– aims to expand core services
Minister Oneidge Walrond speaking at the opening ceremony of the new GNBS sub-office.
Kaieteur News – With the aim of expanding its core services, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), its sixth subsidiary office in the town of Bartica, opened Monday in the Administrative Office of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).
The opening ceremony was attended by the Minister for Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond; Regional Chairman, Kenneth Williams; Executive Director (s) of GNBS, Ramrattie Karan; Regional Vice Chairman, Nageshwarie Persaud; Mayor, Gifford Marshall; Deputy Mayor, Aretha Embelton; Divisional Manager, Superintendent Dion Moore, and other special guests.
Addressing the concentration of the RDP compound, Minister Walrond revealed that the new office will eliminate the need to travel long distances to access core services offered by the Bureau. He stated, “It is no longer necessary to travel to Georgetown or the GNBS to travel to Bartica to inspect products, complete registrations, check fuel pumps, etc. Now, put that into a contextual perspective and explore the cost and time-saving elements. I’m happy to guide you into this new age, where you can stay in Bartica, save your money, save your time and still have access to these vital services. “The Minister said that the new location is intended to convey that residents in rural and remote areas should not feel disadvantaged or disconnected from the opportunities available to the rest of the country.
With GNBS as the lead agency responsible for standards, quality and measurement, Walrond noted that “we all want accurate measurements for goods purchased, and our expectation is value for money … These aspects are essential for business competitiveness and boosting consumer confidence. Therefore, the establishment of this office continues along the lines of establishing standards for the provision of goods and services in our nation. ”He further said that with this opening, all businesses in Bartica will have access to national standards that have become mandatory, if businesses are to compete with multinationals.
Karan, Executive Director of GNBS (ag), told the meeting that as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting travel restrictions, the entity must reinforce the importance of devolving Bureau services. In line with the strategic plan and vision, and with government support, GNBS will continue to develop the National Quality Infrastructure to foster sustainable socio-economic development and consumer protection, the Director noted.
He also said that going forward, more local manufacturers and dealers are expected to register with GNBS and more measurement devices will be checked, including those in the remote communities. He is also optimistic that more products and services will be audited and certified and more efficient transactions will take place between the Bureau and stakeholders in the region.
With the opening of the sub-office, residents of Region Seven will now be able to access the validation of scales used in markets, supermarkets, clinics, shops and hospitals. Officials now based in the mining town will provide concrete hollow block inspection and testing services, as well as checking scales and masses.