-as gov’t pushes to eliminate bottlenecks, make single window framework efficient, Jagdeo says

TO eliminate the existing bottlenecks in the construction sector, the Government of Guyana intends to further collaborate with local municipalities to ensure that the country’s single window framework runs efficiently.

This is according to People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, who at a news conference last Thursday acknowledged the need for more capacity building and public awareness of the country’s single window framework, especially at the level of the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs).

“For too long people have bypassed the planning framework, they have had people who sometimes draw their plans and then approve the same plans. The engineers or the other officials in an NDC or the municipality… they pay the same people to draw their plans for their buildings and those are the same people approving it.”

This according to Dr. Jagdeo should not occur, however, there have also been instances where approval was granted when it should not have been.

“On the other hand, you have legitimate people who have done their plan properly and they are waiting forever to have those plans approved. So, their houses can’t be built, their houses can’t be expanded, their factories can’t be built or any other business venture, because somewhere, some official is not doing his or her work or they’re soliciting a bribe.”

Back in June of this year, the government through the Ministry of Housing and Water and the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) launched their Electronic Planning and Development Single-Window System.

“The idea is that this single window framework will seek to eliminate those bottlenecks and to improve planning in the country. That was the idea and that is why we passed the law,” Dr Jagdeo said.

The system intends to centralise and simplify the approval process, by providing a one-stop shop for all development-related permission and clearance.

Simply explained, persons looking to conduct business in Guyana can access the relevant information and agencies at a single point of entry. There, applicants can submit, monitor, and track the progress of their applications.

In an effort to enhance efficiency and transparency, the process will be subject to specific deadlines to ensure the timely processing of applications.

The Single-Window System Act was introduced and approved in the National Assembly prior to June’s launch. Furthermore, a number of consultation exercises were carried out with stakeholders.

The legislation was ‘specially crafted’ to capture policies, and bring together hundreds of different laws, bylaws, and regulations under one umbrella.

This legislation includes provisions for the establishment of a Planning Oversight Committee, which will centralise functions related to land-use preparation and development. It is also intended to define the Committee’s responsibilities and associated matters.

Several agencies will become part of the single window. This includes the Central Board of Health, the Ministry of Public Works, River and Defence Board, the 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, Land and Deeds Registry, Guyana Water Incorporated, all Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and the local authorities, inclusive of the municipalities, among other agencies.