Pres Ali announces plan to fully digitise Lands and Surveys Commission

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Tuesday announced the government’s plan to fully digitise the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC) over the next four years as part of a broader push to modernise land administration and improve service delivery.

Delivering the feature address at the commission’s 25th anniversary and awards ceremony in its compound at Durban Backlands, President Ali said the transformation will position the agency to support Guyana’s expanding development agenda.

He explained that the modernisation effort will focus on integrating advanced technologies in every department and strengthening systems to deliver faster, more efficient and transparent services.

“Our objective in the next four years is to deliver an agency that is fully digitised and one in which we will fully implement the most advanced technology to help our work here in every department, in every aspect of our work,” the president stated.

According to President Ali, the commission now operates in a more complex environment that requires greater speed, stronger interoperability, and closer coordination with multiple sectors, including housing, mining, forestry, infrastructure, and regional planning.

He noted that as Guyana continues to expand, land administration has become increasingly important to ensuring projects move forward efficiently.

The president said the government’s vision is to create a modern, efficient and citizen-centred land administration system where information is readily accessible and records are increasingly digitised.

As part of the transformation agenda, he highlighted plans to strengthen geographic information systems (GIS), improve institutional coordination, and enhance the security of land tenure for citizens, farmers, businesses, and communities.

“We want institutions that work seamlessly together in support of national development, and we want a system that balances economic growth with responsible stewardship of our land resources for future generations,” he said.

President Ali underscored that land administration is often overlooked but remains critical to national progress, noting that every major development initiative begins with proper land identification, surveying and planning.

“When land administration works well, development moves forward. When land administration is weak, development slows down,” he told attendees.

Established in 2001, the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission is responsible for managing state lands, land surveying, mapping, and supporting national planning and development initiatives.

The president expressed confidence that the agency’s digital transformation will strengthen its ability to support Guyana’s continued growth and position it to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy.

DPI