The Single Window System has been delivering remarkable results at the Buxton/Foulis Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), where 266 applications for home construction and expansion have been processed since January. This was highlighted today by Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand, during her visit to the East Coast Demerara community.
Calling the initiative a clear success, Minister Manickchand noted that the system has brought tangible benefits for residents. “This particular Single Window works. They’ve actually submitted 266 applications for single families through the Single Window System. So 266 persons from January to now have been building or expanding their homes,” she explained.
According to the Minister, the initiative not only improves efficiency but also contributes to happier families and stronger communities. “That speaks to a lot including happier homes, more disposable income, and an easier system that they had to go through. That’s not to say there aren’t improvements that we can make. We’re working with the Ministry of Housing to do that, and we saw where the little gaps were. But this is an NDC where the Single Window System is working.”
During her engagement, the Minister also praised the dedication of the NDC staff. “I’m happy to say that I saw staff that was alert and active,” she said, emphasizing the importance of motivated public servants in ensuring quality frontline service delivery.
The visit further highlighted the role of the NDC help desk, which has been expanded beyond the government’s $100,000 Cash Grant initiative to assist residents with a variety of queries. “In this case, the help desk does more than just the Cash Grant. They are actually helping with other queries,” she pointed out.
While acknowledging that service delivery varies across the country, Minister Manickchand stressed that government is committed to ensuring consistency across all NDCs. “When you have a large group of people and places to deal with, you’ll have some that work and some that don’t. What we’ve gotta do is make all work,” she stated.
Reaffirming the vision of President Dr. Irfaan Ali, the Minister said government’s broader goal is to strengthen local governance and make daily life easier for citizens. “The intention of the President and the party in government is to make sure that communities are beautified and that the lives of the residents of those communities are made easier through the delivery of services in education, health, infrastructure, agriculture, and in every area. The NDC is really the first stop to deliver those services,” she explained.
The Buxton/Foulis visit is part of an ongoing series of engagements by Minister Manickchand with NDCs across the country. These efforts aim to assess the effectiveness of government programmes, identify challenges, and reinforce the role of NDCs as the frontline link between citizens and the state.
