Single-Window System consultations: NDCs in Reg 6 building capacity in IT, request for acceptance of paper-based applications

As local government and representatives of regional bodies within Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) gathered on Tuesday to participate in the consultation on the Single-Window Planning and Development System, a number of issues were raised to be addressed before the mechanism is finalised.
These issues include the need for paper-based applications to be accepted, even as Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) build capacity to become fully operational with the requisite IT solution.
The consultation was facilitated by the lead consultant for the Project, Fareed Amin; the Business Analyst, Kevin Sukhdeo, and other officials of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA). Key to making the system efficient, Amin noted, is the strengthening of capacity within the various local authorities.
These engagements are geared at ensuring that local authorities are equipped and ready to play their role in making the Single-Window Planning and Development System effective.
The Single-Window process is a move by the Government to integrate agencies’ approach to services, efficiency, and to significantly reduce the processing time for planning and building permission.
With works ongoing on the Information Technology (IT) Solution and the Single Window Bill passed in the National Assembly, the system is expected to go live on July 1 of this year. 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, as this new mechanism forms part of the Government’s attempt to increase the ease of doing business and foster a business-friendly environment.
Over the next few days, a number of other regulatory agencies, and Government and private sector bodies will be engaged in another round of consultation.
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 Central Housing and Planning Authority (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 will automatically be considered approved.