Finalisation of ICT platform for Single Window System underway – Min Croal

The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) platform for the much-touted Single Window System is currently being finalised, and according to Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal, implementation of the online service will commence very soon.
The Single Window System is designed to eliminate the red tape associated with the planning and permitting processes for land by creating a singular entry point for all agencies involved in the process. This system will feature an online application portal, facilitating quicker application approvals and online tracking.
During his Ministry’s closing press conference for 2023 held last week, Minister Croal disclosed that all the required preliminary works have been completed.
“Where we’re at now is… finalisation on the ICT platform that is required for us to go live. That’s all that is required. Well, of course, when that happens, we will have to gazette it… We’ll gazette to say this is the commencement date because you’ll have to issue a commencement order. But for the legitimacy of the single window, we’ve done [the necessary legislation] and that has been passed in the Parliament. And so, very soon you will see that into implementation,” the Housing Minister posited.
This innovative platform is set to revolutionise the process of planning and obtaining permits with a single entry point for the Housing Ministry’s Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and other relevant partner agencies. It aims to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles, reduce processing times, and is built upon the principles of transparency, predictability, efficiency, electronic accessibility, scalability, and interoperability.
This will enhance the ease of doing business in Guyana, enabling both local and international investors to seamlessly access the system and submit applications online from any location in the world. Additionally, applicants will have the ability to track the progress of their applications.
The system also incorporates pre-consults, enabling applicants to assess the strengths and weaknesses of their submissions before making a ‘full application’.
The single window process is a strategy implemented by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government to integrate agencies’ approach to services, and efficiency, and to significantly reduce the processing time for planning and building permission.
In December 2022, a $202 million contract was signed with Global Services – a Guyanese-led consortium with global experience – to make the issuance of planning and building permits hassle-free. The company was tasked with providing a server and network infrastructure; security solutions; and hardware and software maintenance and repairs.
The single window system will feature five key elements including one-window access to allow the CH&PA to be the point of entry for planning and building applications; as well as a dashboard to show the status of individual applications and generate progress reports, which can also be accessed by applicants. Another feature of the system is a time-bound element by which the relevant agencies will have to respond to applications, otherwise they would automatically be considered approved.
Already, the National Assembly has approved the passage of the Planning and Development Single Window System in July 2023.
The legislative framework now paves the way for, among other things, standardised application forms and checklists, as well as minimising the time for completing a transaction. Further, the electrical portal will enable investors to submit planning and building permits and check the status from anywhere around the globe. This new mechanism forms part of the Government’s attempt to increase the ease of doing business and foster a business-friendly environment.
Before the Bill’s passage, the CH&PA conducted consultations across the country, engaging with local Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), heads of service agencies and regulatory bodies.
Since approval of the Bill last year, these efforts have increased with sensitisation sessions held in Regions One (Barima-Waini); Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); Four (Demerara-Mahaica); Five (Mahaica-Berbice); Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
These Awareness and Capacity Building Sessions for the Planning and Development of Single Window System were wrapped up last October.
Consultant, Fareed Amin conducted the sensitisation sessions during which he conducted a comprehensive presentation aimed to providing insights into the functionality of the system. He was assisted by Business Analyst Kevin Sukhdeo, who did demonstrations of the system. (G-8)