PRESIDENT, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s recent remarks at the launch of the Electronic Planning and Development Single Window system serve as both a warning and a wake-up call to the public sector.
His message was clear: The era of paper-based bureaucracy and institutional resistance to change must end.
For too long, inefficiency has plagued Guyana’s public service, frustrating citizens and investors alike.
The new Single Window system, introduced through the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), offers a decisive break from the past. By consolidating approvals for land development and building permits from multiple agencies into one online platform, it represents a major stride toward transparency, efficiency, and accountability.
Yet, despite extensive training and repeated sensitisation sessions, President Ali lamented that “there is resistance.”
This reluctance from within the very institutions meant to serve the public undermines the country’s broader vision for modern governance. It is a reminder that technology alone cannot drive progress, people must be willing to adopt it.
The President’s firm two-month deadline for full compliance sends a strong signal that the government will not tolerate inertia. As he noted, those unwilling to embrace digital transformation may need to “explore other priorities.”
It is a tough stance, but a necessary one. Bureaucratic delays cost not only time and money—they erode public confidence and stunt national development.
The Single Window system is more than just an administrative upgrade; it is part of a wider reform agenda aimed at creating a responsive, service-oriented state.
Through complementary initiatives such as the Coursera upskilling programme for public servants and digital tools for farmers, the administration is laying the groundwork for a fully digital public service ecosystem.
Resistance to this shift cannot be excused as discomfort with change. Every progressive society faces moments when the old ways must yield to innovation. Just as Guyana is moving toward renewable energy and expanding infrastructure, so too must its governance model evolve.
President Ali’s words: “You may be upset with me today, but ten or fifteen years from now…you’ll say, God bless him”, reflect both the urgency and the vision behind this transformation. The benefits of such reform may not be immediate, but they will be lasting.
The public sector must recognise that the Single Window system is not a threat, it is a tool for empowerment. By reducing red tape, curbing corruption, and improving turnaround times, it will enhance public trust and attract investment. The onus now lies on every public servant to play their part in realising this promise.
Guyana cannot afford to let digital opportunity slip through the cracks of bureaucratic resistance. The nation’s development demands a modern state, and that begins with a modern mindset.