A Partnership for National Unity, (APNU) has registered some concern over the Central Housing and Planning Authority’s (CH&PA) online portal for the submission of housing plans, saying that it has been receiving reports suggesting that the system may be creating additional steps rather than simplifying the approval process.

In a statement, the APNU said it has received complaints from applicants who submitted their building plans through the online portal and are later instructed to visit their Neighbourhood Democratic Council to resubmit the same documents through paper-based systems.

The party said if that is the process being used, then the intended benefits of digitalization are being undermined.

“The purpose of introducing an online platform should be to streamline the interaction between citizens and the State. A properly designed system ought to reduce duplication, shorten approval timelines, and provide a clear pathway from application to decision. When an applicant must first submit documents electronically and then repeat the process physically with another authority, the system risks becoming more burdensome than the paper-based process it was meant to replace,” the APNU said in a statement.

The opposition party also noted that the issue raises questions about coordination between the Central Housing and Planning Authority and local authorities, particularly the NDCs which retain statutory responsibility for building approvals within their communities.

According to the APNU, if Guyana is to move toward modern and efficient housing administration, digital platforms must be integrated across institutions so that a single submission can progress through the approval chain without applicants having to duplicate their efforts.

APNU noted that given the scale of public investment in housing and the large number of Guyanese seeking to build on allocated house lots, the approvals process must be efficient, transparent, and truly put people first.

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