Technology will cut bureaucracy, bring Govt services closer to citizens – Finance Minister

The Government is continuing to expand the use of digital technology to improve public service delivery, with plans to make it easier for citizens to access Government services, lodge complaints, and receive feedback without having to travel to Government offices.
Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, outlined the Administration’s vision during a public outreach by Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo held in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) on Friday.
According to Singh, while community outreach, public days and cabinet engagements remain important avenues for interacting with citizens, the Government is simultaneously investing in digital solutions that will make services more accessible and responsive.

“Ultimately, what we’re seeking to do is build out more digital solutions so people can go online and log a complaint, so they can get feedback online and so they can apply for Government services online,” Singh said.
The Minister explained that the move forms part of a broader effort by President Dr Irfaan Ali’s administration to modernise Government operations and improve the efficiency of public institutions.
“So President Ali’s vision is a vision where all Government agencies are operating efficiently and are delivering services using modern electronic and digital technology,” he stated.
Singh noted that the Government has already been pursuing several initiatives aimed at bringing services closer to citizens, including public outreaches, cabinet engagements and the establishment of Government service centres in communities across the country.
He explained that these centres were created to ensure that key Government services are available within communities and that citizens can access assistance without having to travel long distances.
“We have multiple Ministerial outreaches. We have, on President Ali’s instruction, the establishment of citizen service centres or Government service centres at which key Government services are brought into the community and a centre is established for the ongoing provision of those services,” he said.
The Minister noted that digital platforms represent the next stage in that evolution, allowing citizens to access services and interact with Government agencies from their homes or mobile devices.
While acknowledging that some Guyanese have not fully embraced digital services, Singh said the transition will take time and that the Government remains committed to accommodating citizens who still prefer face-to-face interactions.
He pointed to the ongoing cash grant programme as an example, noting that despite the availability of online registration and digital payment options, some persons continue to prefer in-person transactions.
“We have rolled out, for example, the cash grant, and we have said we’re going to deliver the cash grant digitally to you without you having to leave your home. Some people are saying, ‘I don’t want to go online to register. I don’t want to go online to put in my bank account details. I want to come and join the line to get my cash grant.’ They are free to do so.”
According to Singh, the Government will continue expanding digital solutions while ensuring that traditional methods of accessing services remain available.
“We are rolling out digital solutions that make life easier for the Guyanese citizens, and I would say we will continue to develop these digital solutions and digital Government.”
The Minister said the ultimate goal is to create a public service system where citizens can access most Government services electronically and receive timely responses without unnecessary delays.
“I hope that we get one day to a point where all citizens embrace these digital solutions so that we get to a point where you don’t need events such as these. That would be the ideal outcome.”
However, he stressed that public outreaches and direct engagements will continue for as long as citizens find them useful.
“As long as there continues to be this need, the People’s Progressive Party will ensure that that need is met because we are here to serve.”
The Government has increasingly incorporated digital platforms into service delivery in recent years as part of its broader effort to improve efficiency, reduce bureaucracy and expand access to public services throughout the country.