Upgraded to the tune of $21m, the Soesdyke Post Office was yesterday recommissioned, according to the Department of Public Information (DPI).
The construction work on the building commenced on June 4 and was completed on October 29, DPI said. The single-flat commercial structure has approximately 810 square feet of usable space. At a dedication ceremony yesterday, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Guyana Post Office Corporation, Rev. Dr. Murtland Raphael Massiah said the refurbished outpost is a “significant step” for the company. He described the former facility as deplorable and said when it became known to him that dedicated employees were working in those conditions he vowed to change the situation.
Massiah said “I want to report that the Post Office enjoys a level of efficiency that I would dare many organisations to meet… We delivered 98% of mail that we processed”.
Also present at the opening was Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes. “There is no question. We know where we started prior to 2015, and therefore, I feel I have every right to stand up and say I am proud that we have started a process of fixing and restoring and building so that our citizens can benefit from these opportunities”, she said, according to DPI. According to the minister, space has been allocated for a new ICT hub and the wifi connections have been installed. She said that residents, especially school children, can make use of the free service.
“I am letting you know that the students who may not have the internet at home can come with their phones, tablets and laptops and get free internet access to enhance their education… This also makes it possible for us to conduct business easier at the Post Office”, the minister stated.
Hughes said her ministry is on a mission to refurbish each postal service outpost throughout Guyana. The Plaisance Post Office is currently being constructed.
