Quick passport processing, same-day certificates at Leonora’s new Govt Service Centre

…as Region 3 citizens already benefiting from fast-track services

In what has been described as a major step towards convenience, efficiency, and modernisation, scores of citizens across Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) are already benefiting from the fast-tracked processing of key services at the newly established Government Service Centre at the West Central Mall, Leonora, on the West Coast of Demerara.
This service centre houses several state agencies with offices set up to provide citizens across with essential services. These include passport applications, birth and death certificate processing, marriage licences, and full services from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), as well as registration for the national electronic identification (E-ID) card programme.
While the centre commenced operations earlier this week, President Dr Irfaan Ali officially opened the facility on Friday, during which he was informed that 35 applications were submitted as of Thursday to the General Register Office (GRO) for various certificates – all of which were already processed and ready to be uplifted.

“Can you imagine that? 35 applications in less than 24 hours… about 10 minutes [to process] each, and they’re already getting that certificate today [Friday]. This would’ve been days, sometimes weeks, of running [around]…,” the Head of State noted.
The same experience was had by persons seeking services from the Passport Office, whereby they were processed, in some instances, in five minutes.
According to President Ali, “We have to maintain this. And [persons] can also apply online, so when they come, they don’t have to fill out forms and all of that.”
In fact, persons are being encouraged to utilise the online portal to fill out their forms before going to the service centre in order to further fast-track the process.
“So, there will be [posters with a] QR code outside the building and at every supermarket and other public areas. So, people can just scan the QR and get all the Government services. You fill up whatever form you have to full out so by the time you come here, all the paperwork is finished,” the Guyanese leader noted.
Additionally, some 20 persons have registered for the Government’s e-ID card initiative as of Friday morning, while over at the GRA’s office, they are collecting payments as well as issuing same-day provisional and conductor licence renewals.
“We’re doing an expedited process for the driver’s licence, so that would take, maximum, three days…and eventually, same-day [renewal],” a GRA representative noted.

Since Tuesday, there have been four applications to renew driver licences, and there are plans to extend the services to income filings during the tax season next year.
The opening of this service centre at Leonora represents a key component of the Ali-led People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration’s national initiative to transform public service delivery through the establishment of integrated service centres that are accessible, efficient, and centred on the needs of the people.
For many residents of Region Three, accessing basic Government services previously required travel to Georgetown, resulting in additional costs and time away from home or work – something that will now be a thing of the past with the new service centre.
According to President Ali, the aim was to expand this Government service centre across the country to all the other regions.
“So, by first quarter next year, this similar centre will be all over the country so that people can enjoy a better quality of life, a better quality of service,” the Head of State noted.
Only on Wednesday, during the presentation of his Government’s policy agenda for the economic and social transformation of Guyana and its people over the next five years, the Guyanese leader reiterated his commitment to building a modern state where technology makes public services faster, and more accessible, efficient, transparent and responsive; supports economic development and innovation; and empowers all Guyanese.
The establishment of this “one-stop” citizen service centre in every region will support this initiative.
“We are introducing a Citizen Centric Portal, a gateway to modern Government services that enables citizens to access all Government services online and I must say to you, we have launched some components of that service, and already, many countries in the regions are reaching out to us to share this knowledge and help them deliver similar products to their citizens.”
“A modern Guyana will enable citizens to access all Government services online. With just a click of a button, citizens will be able to apply for birth certificates, ID cards, passports, driver’s licences, business registration and other business permits and licences, file tax returns and pay their taxes, access payments from the Government (Old Age Pension, NIS pension, Public Assistance), apply for house lots, and pay utility bills. This portal will also enable a national e-wallet, allowing citizens to receive money and make payments in the most seamless way possible. This is the future we are building,” President Ali declared on Wednesday.
The Government Service Centre at the West Central Mall will operate from Monday to Friday between 08:00h and 17:00h.