Dear Editor,
As a Member of Parliament, I write to express grave concern and profound disappointment over the PPP/C Government’s decision to dismantle the Canadian border management system previously adopted by the APNU+AFC administration, replacing it with the NOVO system—a system riddled with flaws and deeply disconnected from the realities facing our citizens, especially those in the diaspora.
The Canadian border system, which was a product of meticulous planning and international best practices, served to modernise and streamline our immigration and passport renewal processes, making it easier for Guyanese both at home and abroad to access essential services. In contrast, the newly implemented NOVO system has proven to be not only technologically inferior but also logistically inaccessible. Most notably, it is not available at our overseas missions.
This means that countless Guyanese living overseas—many of whom contribute significantly to our economy through remittances—must now incur substantial financial costs and logistical burdens to travel back to Guyana simply to renew a passport. This is not just inefficient; it is unjust. It effectively penalises members of the diaspora for choosing to live abroad while remaining committed to their national identity and responsibilities.
Moreover, this abrupt and opaque transition raises serious questions about transparency and accountability. The government has failed to inform the public about the rationale behind abandoning the Canadian system, and has provided no justification for the millions of dollars reportedly spent on the NOVO system. The public deserves to know why this system was chosen, who benefitted from its procurement, and why our overseas missions were left out of its implementation.
This situation strikes at the heart of participatory democracy. By alienating Guyanese abroad from accessing basic services, the government undermines their ability to fully participate in the national life of our country. Citizenship should not be contingent upon proximity to Georgetown.
I therefore call on the Government of Guyana to immediately reassess the implementation of the NOVO system, to provide full disclosure on the procurement process and costs involved, and to take urgent steps to ensure that our overseas missions are equipped to support all Guyanese, no matter where they reside.
The path forward must be guided by transparency, inclusion, and competence—not costly misadventures that burden our citizens and tarnish our institutions.
Yours respectfully,
Roysdale Forde S.C. M.P.