—New Region Two hub to deliver passports, registrar and digital services closer to residents
MINISTER within the Ministry of Public Works, Madanlall Ramraj, on Saturday visited the newly constructed Government Services Centre at Cotton Field, Region Two, as the facility is moved closer to completion.
The centre forms part of the government’s broader effort to modernise and decentralise public services, ensuring residents along the Essequibo Coast can access critical services without the need to travel to Georgetown.
During the tour, Minister Ramraj assessed the progress of the final phase of works, which includes the installation of workstations, counters, air-conditioning units, security systems, signage, and ICT infrastructure. Designated waiting areas are being outfitted to provide comfort and order for members of the public, while individual departments are being equipped with the necessary technology and furnishings to guarantee smooth and efficient daily operations.
Once officially opened, the centre will house the Guyana Passport Office, Guyana Digital School, and the General Registrar’s Office. Residents will be able to complete passport applications and related immigration services, receive support for digital learning programmes and process vital documents such as birth, marriage, and death certificates—all in one convenient location.
The establishment of the centre is expected to significantly reduce waiting times, cut travel expenses for residents, and improve overall service delivery throughout Region Two. For many families, particularly those from riverine and hinterland communities, access to centralised services on the coast will represent a major improvement in convenience and efficiency.
Similar centres have already been commissioned in Regions Three and Five, bringing together agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the Bureau of Statistics, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards and providing facilities for police clearance processing. These centres have enhanced inter-agency coordination and streamlined public interactions with government departments.
During the outreach at Cotton Field, the minister and his team interacted with residents who were eager to learn about the services that would soon be available. Several individuals also expressed strong interest in employment opportunities within the departments that will operate from the facility, underscoring the centre’s potential to create new job prospects for persons within the region.
Accompanying the Minister were Regional Chairman, Devin Mohan; Regional Vice Chairman, Humace Oodit; Deputy REO, Omesh Sasenarayan; Director of Government Efficiency, Nigel Dharalall; Director of the Guyana Digital School, Tamashwar Bujdoo; Operations Manager of the Digital Identity Card Registry, Saarah Gajraj and Deputy Chief Immigration Officer, Senior Superintendent Stephen Telford, along with representatives from the respective agencies.
The Cotton Field Government Services Centre is poised to become a key administrative hub for Region Two, reinforcing the government’s commitment to equitable development and accessible public services for all citizens.
