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Hundreds of residents of North East Manchester on Friday, May 1, received well-needed assistance from five major government agencies in a first-of-its-kind initiative organised by Member of Parliament, Ambassador Audrey Marks.

The participating agencies were the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS), Companies Office of Jamaica and the Human Employment and Resource Training (HEART)/NSTA.

The aim of the Gov-360 Constituency Day, was to improve citizens’ access to government services, particularly for those who faced challenges navigating multiple processes at different offices. It was held in Sedburgh, Christiana, Manchester.

The Companies Office of Jamaica registered 17 new businesses, while the team from RADA registered 43 new farmers, conducted demonstrations on hydroponics, drip irrigation and were educated about crop management and pest control, while some farmers signed up for extension services.

Executive Director of the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), Dr Warren Vernon, whose team registered applicants for their NIDS card, described the day’s activity as very good.  Many people who needed vital information from NIRA received it when the team distributed previously processed birth certificates.

“We enrolled 42 people for national ID cards, and 60 others signed up for birth certificates. I pulled files for people who wanted marriage certificates to apply for their NIDS card, and did the approvals for them on the spot,” Dr. Vernon said.

For Audrey Royale – parish manager for the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS), the day was a resounding success. 

“We signed up 137 people for NIS and PATH, and assisted many in retrieving lost NIS numbers. Many of them wanted to know the status of their application under the ROOFS programme and we were able to show the status of their files to them online,” Royale said. 

And, Fredricka Webster – parish manager for HEART Trust, said those whom they saw, registered their interest based on their training and job placement opportunities.

“We saw 97 people for career guidance and counselling, job placement, institutional training interest, summer programme interest and diagnostic assessments completed. The GOV 360 engagement in North East Manchester was highly impactful, demonstrating the value of community-centred service delivery in advancing national training and employment objectives,” she said.

She further noted that the strong turnout and engagement levels underscore the continued for accessible, responsive and targeted interventions within the constituency.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Marks said the initiative reflects a broader commitment to advancing financial inclusion and social mobility across the country.

“This is part of an ongoing push to make it easier for our people to access the systems that support their own personal progress. When we simplify these processes and bring services closer to the community, we remove barriers, build understanding, and open doors to opportunity,” she said.

Ambassador Marks further noted that beyond the delivery of services, the initiative was also designed to demystify government processes and empower residents with the knowledge to navigate them confidently.

“Giving residents more exposure and taking the mystery out of these systems is critical; when people understand what is available to them and how to access it, they are better positioned to participate fully in the economy and improve their circumstances,” Marks said.

The GOV360 initiative forms part of a continued effort to bring government services closer to the people and will continue to be rolled out in all 63 constituencies across the country.