A monumental bill which is expected to cut red tape and improve the ease of doing business in Guyana, will be sent to a specialized committee for further evaluation.
The Planning and Development Single Window System Bill of 2022 is expected to create a single gateway and platform to process and approve land use, planning and development applications. In its current construct, the bill will establish an appeal tribunal, define land use planning and development functions, and include consequential adjustments to prevent redundancy and overlapping of laws.
Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal agreed that the bill be deferred, citing concerns and recommendations made by opposition legislators during a meeting on Sunday last. It is expected that the committee will consider those concerns and suggestions.
The minister emphasized the significance of the Planning and Development Single Window System in achieving Guyana’s aim to improve its ranking on the ease of doing business index. The minister stated that the system will bring predictability, transparency, reduced bureaucracy, and cost.
The opposition proposes that the administrative director of the unit is appointed on the recommendation of the Committee of Appointments of the National Assembly and that the unit be staffed by the Public Service Commission. The opposition also suggests that the Planning Oversight Committee include a nominee from the Office of the Leader of the Opposition.
Junior Housing and Water Minister, Susan Rodrigues stated that the ministry had extensively consulted with relevant agencies on the implementation of the single window system and questioned the opposition’s “last-minute” proposals’ intentions. Rodrigues expressed her disbelief that the opposition aims to politicize the process and frustrate the progress. However, Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), Amanza Walton-Desir, noted that her party’s intention is to ensure transparency and accountability.
Similar sentiments were expressed by her colleague, Ganesh Mahipaul who said that while the opposition is not against the system, it wants to ensure that mechanisms are in place to guard against corruption.
