Thousands of Region Three residents are availing themselves of the government’s new service centre at Leonora, describing it as a major improvement and a significant reduction in the time and hassle previously associated with travelling to Georgetown to obtain the same services.
The Department of Public Information (DPI) was told that since the centre was officially opened by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali in December 2025, it has been bustling with activity, nonstop.
When DPI visited the facility last Thursday, it found residents who came to submit passport applications, apply for electronic identification (e-ID) cards, driver’s licences, birth certificates, and other essential government transactions.
Khemraj Deonarie of Uitvlugt said he came to uplift his passport and apply for his digital ID card. “Before we had to leave from the west side and go all the way to Georgetown, and it would be a big hassle and confusion,” he said.
He added that the Leonora location is convenient and properly managed.
“You come right to Leonora Mall, and you get your documents so quickly, and the beauty of the mall is you could do three or four transactions in the same building,” Deonarie noted.
Deonarie said he arrived at the centre around 8:30 am for one service, and soon he was applying for his e-ID.
Rooprand Ramnarine, called “Robert,” travelled from Leguan Island with his wife to renew her passport.
“It is a fast process…the service is perfect, no problem,” he said.
Tomia David, who is attached to the Digital ID Card service, revealed that between 130 and 150 people access the service daily.
Florence Younge of Farm, East Bank Essequibo, and a retired statistician at the Bureau of Statistics, said the centre has made the process easier and less time-consuming. She visited the facility to process a passport for her great-aunt.
Meanwhile, Zenelle Cobena, who works at the mall, noted that having the services at the same location where she works has created added convenience.
“The timing you need to wake up to go and do those things is very fatiguing,” she said, while explaining that she can now easily access services during the workday.
Sushanie of Zeeburg described the facility as “a lifesaver,” noting that it eliminated the need to travel to Georgetown to obtain a birth certificate for her son.
The Government Service Centre forms part of the administration’s wider plan to modernise and decentralise public services across the country, with additional centres expected to be established in other regions.
DPI
