Residents of Port Mourant and surrounding communities in Region Six now have faster, more convenient access to a range of public services following the opening of a new Government Service Centre.
The facility was officially commissioned on Wednesday, bringing key government services under one roof and reducing the need for residents to travel to multiple locations to complete transactions.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation, Zulfikar Ally, said the centre fulfils a commitment made by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali to improve the way citizens interact with government agencies.
“Now you can come and use government services in one building where everyone can be there and that is the dignity we want for all Guyanese,” Minister Ally said.
The centre offers services including passport applications, electronic identification (e-ID) cards, driver’s licences, and the processing of birth, death and marriage certificates.
Minister Ally said the expansion of Government Service Centres across Guyana will play an important role in accelerating national development while improving service delivery.
He noted that many transactions can now be completed within minutes, significantly reducing waiting times for citizens.
The Port Mourant Centre has already seen strong demand since it began operations on May 20.
A total of 451 passport applications have been received, with 367 passports already issued. The remaining documents are expected to be delivered shortly.
The General Register Office has also recorded more than 200 applications during the same period.
Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, said the opening of the facility reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring development reaches all communities.
“We are here to commission a new approach to service and a renewed commitment in ensuring that development reaches every citizen regardless of where they live,” he said.
Meanwhile, Senior Minister within the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, said the initiative aims to transform the experience citizens have when accessing government services.
“The transformation is about the modernisation of the citizen experience. Citizen service centres such as this are a deliberate initiative intended to modernise the experience that you have in interacting with agencies of the state,” Dr Singh said.
The government has also expanded access through online platforms, allowing citizens to apply for several services from the comfort of their homes.
The government plans to continue expanding the initiative, with similar service centres expected to be established in Regions Seven, Nine and Ten very soon.