-to tackle bureaucratic hurdles among other issues, AG says
THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government is forging ahead with a comprehensive digital transformation agenda aimed at streamlining administrative processes and enhancing efficiency so as to tackle bureaucratic hurdles and reduce delays.
This is according to Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, who said that the government is committed to replacing manual transactions with digital processes across central government and affiliated agencies.
Nandlall highlighted that among the key legislative milestones achieved this year was the passage of the data-protection legislation which paved the way for the implementation of other pieces of legislation to facilitate the digital transition, such as the Planning and Development Single Window System Act, and the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act.
He pointed out that the ‘Single Window Unit Mechanism’ focuses on simplifying the building-permissions process, notorious for its complexity and bureaucratic hurdles.
The bill aims to ease the burdensome planning process by introducing a single-window electronic processing system. This system will enhance business efficiency, particularly in the housing and construction industries, which have been experiencing significant growth.
“The Single Window initiative collapses that 20-agency process into one. You submit your building applications and all the other applications required at one office.
“The single window unit ascribes a time for you to return for approval, taking your documents through every agency involved in the process automatically,” Nandlall explained.
The system gives Guyanese the opportunity to access the relevant information they need from any part of the country. Several agencies are part of the single window. These include the Central Board of Health, the Ministry of Public Works, River and Defence Board, Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Guyana Fire Service, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, the National Trust of Guyana, the Guyana Office for Investment, the Land Registry, the Deeds Registry, the Guyana Water Incorporated, all Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and the local authorities, inclusive of the municipalities among other agencies.
The legislation supporting this initiative mandates each agency to process and approve applications within a specified time.
Nandlall said, if an agency fails to meet the deadline, the application is deemed approved, ensuring a streamlined and efficient approval process.
The government has also enacted the Electronic Communications and Transaction Act, commonly known as the E-Bill, enabling lawful digital transactions for contracts and other documents.
This legislation resolves legal uncertainties surrounding digital transactions, providing a statutory framework for secure and legitimate online dealings.
“We have passed an E-transaction and commercial Act that allows for digital transactions, not to replace paper transactions, but to legitimise them in the same way as paper transactions are legitimate. So, contracts can now be lawfully executed digitally.
“If you are negotiating across borders, those knotty issues have been resolved in that legislation by statute. We had to rely on common law rules. So, by a statutory intervention, those matters are put to rest. And all transactions that can be done in Guyana by paper can now be lawfully done digitally,” Nandlall said.
Furthermore, he said that the Data Protection Law has been passed, allowing state agencies to collect and store citizens’ personal information in a national database. Once established, this database will serve as a comprehensive national data bank accessible to relevant state agencies.
This law safeguards the privacy and personal data of individuals, including their right to control the use of their personal information.
The legislation aligns Guyana with international best practices on data protection and privacy and regulates implementation of the electronic identification card (e-ID) system in Guyana.
Attorney-General Nandlall pointed out that the transformative impact of these initiatives, stating, “This initiative goes hand in hand with similar initiatives across central government and other agencies, replacing manual transactions with digital processes across the administrative infrastructure.”
Nandlall pointed out that as Guyana progresses in its digital transformation journey, these measures aim to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles, reduce delays, and enhance overall efficiency in government operations.
The systems, he said, form part of the government’s efforts to create a business-friendly environment not only for business, but also makes the lives of Guyanese better.