President Dr Irfaan Ali has a message for officials who continue to frustrate the efficient functioning of the Single Window System, which is intended to eliminate the bureaucratic hurdles and lengthy processing times that have historically plagued the construction permitting process.
“We have trained every single local entity – one time, two times, three times, four times – on the Single Window Approval System and yet there is resistance,” President Ali said during an event on Monday.
“There is resistance because we found something deep. So, they have two months to ensure that the Single Window System is working not only optimally but as was designed and if it doesn’t happen, then people may have other priorities that they have an interest in, and we will give them a chance to explore the other priorities,” the President emphasised.
The Single Window System was launched in June 2024 by the Ministry of Housing and Water and the Central Housing and Planning Authority.
It is envisioned that under the new system, planning applications can be submitted to multiple State agencies simultaneously, significantly reducing approval times that previously extended up to three years. It allows applicants to track the progress of their submissions and provides a mechanism for appealing any rejections. It is also expected to enhance transparency and accountability among the various agencies involved.
Just a few months ago, a high-level meeting was convened to address several issues that have been affecting the smooth functioning of the system.
At that meeting were Priya Manickchand, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development; Colin Croal, Minister of Housing; and Vanessa Benn, Minister within the Ministry of Housing. They were joined by senior officials, including Mr. Miguel Choo Kang, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development; Dr. Josh Kanhai, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Administration); Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Housing, Dr Martin Pertab; the Head of Planning at the Ministry of Housing; and the Secretary of the Central Housing and Planning Authority Board.
The meeting focused on ensuring that the Single Window System is not only efficient but also accessible to ordinary Guyanese, particularly at the community level.
“Minister Manickchand emphasised the value of this approach, explaining that the NDCs are the first point of contact for many citizens. And, that by using the Single Window System through these local bodies, the process will be simpler and more accessible so that citizens do not have to struggle with delays or confusion. The Government of Guyana remains committed to improving public service delivery by ensuring that approvals are processed in a way that is efficient, accountable, and citizen-friendly. With the Single Window System, Guyanese across all regions will soon have access to a streamlined, community-based service that makes housing and development approvals easier than ever before,” the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development said in a statement following that meeting in September.
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