Government Service Centre opens in Region 6

…passports, birth certificates, digital ID services now closer to residents

Residents of Port Mourant, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and surrounding communities now have easier access to a range of Government services following the official commissioning of the Government of Guyana Service Centre on Wednesday.

The facility, located in Port Mourant, brings together several Government agencies under one roof, allowing residents to access services such as passport applications, birth certificate processing, digital identification registration, police clearances, marriage certificates and other transactions without having to travel long distances.
Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation Minister Zulfikar Ally said that the centre fulfils a commitment made by President Dr Irfaan Ali and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Administration to improve access to public services across the country.
“This is not a small thing for Berbice,” Ally told those gathered at the opening ceremony.
“You no longer have to travel to different offices, different departments and different regions to access Government services. You can now come to one building and receive the services you need,” he added.
According to Ally, the initiative is intended to ensure citizens are treated with dignity when accessing Government services while reducing the time and cost associated with travelling to New Amsterdam or Georgetown.
The Minister also encouraged residents to obtain the national digital identification card, noting that it will play a key role in the delivery of future digital Government services.
Meanwhile, Operations Director of the Digital ID Centre, Sara Godraj, said the opening of the Port Mourant office is another step in ensuring Guyanese have access to secure digital identities and the opportunities they create.
She explained that the digital ID card will allow citizens to access online Government services, conduct digital transactions and participate in Guyana’s expanding digital economy while benefiting from enhanced identity protection and security features.
Meanwhile, Chief Immigration Officer Stephen Telford disclosed that passport services have already been operating from the location since May 20.
According to Telford, the office has received 451 passport applications and issued 367 passports to date. He also announced the availability of a mobile passport service aimed at assisting persons who are unable to visit the office because of age, illness or other circumstances.
Head of Operations at the General Register Office, Vikram Budhu, said residents can now access fully digitised birth certificate services through the Port Mourant facility. He noted that citizens can apply online, through WhatsApp, by email or directly at the office, where staff can assist with applications and corrections.
Budhu reported that more than 200 applications have already been processed since the office commenced operations.

Transformation
Delivering the feature address, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, said the opening of the centre is part of a transformation taking place across Region Six under the leadership of President Ali.
According to Singh, Berbice will be vastly different within the next five to 10 years as major infrastructure, industrial, and economic projects come on stream.
Among the projects outlined were a new four-lane Berbice River bridge, a four-lane highway along the Corentyne Coast to Moleson Creek, road links to Orealla and Siparuta, a deep-water port at the mouth of the Berbice River, a bridge across the Corentyne River and the landing of Guyana’s second gas pipeline in Region Six.
The Finance Minister said the gas-to-energy infrastructure will support electricity generation, manufacturing and industrial development, including investments in petrochemicals, bauxite processing and fertiliser production.
He told residents that these projects will create thousands of jobs in construction, healthcare, manufacturing, energy, tourism and hospitality, while opening new opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs.
Singh urged residents to take advantage of Government-sponsored training programmes and educational opportunities to prepare themselves for the jobs that will be created.
He also highlighted ongoing developments, including the new regional hospital at Number 75 Village, the construction of a new hospital in New Amsterdam, the Guyana Technical Training College at Port Mourant and the large-scale commercial, residential and sporting developments taking shape at Palmyra.
The Government Service Centre will offer a range of services, including immigration and passport processing, General Register Office services, digital identification registration and other Government transactions, as the Administration continues its efforts to improve service delivery across the country.