…CH&PA reviewing long-pending applications to identify causes of delays

Housing Minister Collin Croal has acknowledged that although the Single Window System continues to face some challenges, it has shown significant improvement over its earlier performance. “The local authorities now are more on board. We still have some hiccups with one or two NDCs (Neighbourhood Democratic Councils) and municipalities but by and large, they’re on board. So, the implementation of the single window is moving much smoother,” the Minister noted during The Guyana Dialogue programme last week. The Electronic Planning and Development Single Window System was officially launched in June 2024. By late April 2026, the platform had been in operation for approximately 22 months, following the passage of its enabling legislation on July 20, 2023. During that period, more than 6,000 users had accessed the system. Primarily used for planning/development approvals by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) or international trade (customs/ports), the system replaces multiple submissions by connecting different agencies to improve transparency and speed. Under the system, planning applications can be submitted to multiple State agencies simultaneously, significantly reducing approval times that previously extended up to three years. It allows applicants to track the progress of their submissions and provides a mechanism for appealing any rejections. It is also expected to enhance transparency and accountability among the various agencies involved.

However, the system faced challenges, including digital illiteracy among both users and officials, as well as a lack of cooperation from NDCs and municipalities. In fact, late last year, President Dr Irfaan Ali made it clear that the Government will not tolerate officials who continue to resist adapting to the Single Window System. The Guyanese leader had posited that, “We have trained every single local entity – one time, two times, three times, four times – on the Single Window Approval System and yet there is resistance…There is resistance because we found something deep. So, they have two months to ensure that the Single Window System is working not only optimally but as was designed and if it doesn’t happen, then people may have other priorities that they have an interest in, and we will give them a chance to explore the other priorities”. As recent as November 2025, more officials from across the country were trained on using the system. As efforts continue to improve the functioning of the system, Minister Croal noted that officials within the CH&PA Ministry of Housing have started to review older applications to determine the reason they are not moving forward.