GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – The Guyana government says it is fast-tracking an Electronic Identification (E-ID) card system as the country seeks to address its porous borders, which it acknowledges can be easily breached.
Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond, speaking at a news conference on Tuesday night following the arrest of a Venezuelan national accused of planting a bomb that killed six-year-old Soraya Bourne and injured several others last Sunday night, said that any foreign national entering Guyana must be registered at legally designated points of entry.
“For Venezuelan migrants who come here through our ports, they are all registered and their details are taken,” Walrond said, adding that persons who fail to register themselves will face deportation and sanctions.
“What we will do is that for the persons who are in Guyana illegally, they will be given a grace period to come to register and have this E-ID card,” Walrond said.
The E-ID cards will differentiate between citizens and non-citizens. It will also integrate personal data into a secure digital and physical card for accessing government and private sector services.
Waldron said without this card, non-citizens will not be able to access any services in Guyana.
The authorities said that the E-ID will link to other systems, including bank accounts and immigration records, and can be used for both digital and physical transactions.
They said the application process is relatively easy and involves booking an appointment online or at a service center.
“The documents needed for registration will be listed. After you prepare them, follow the steps at the service center to finish your application. You will be notified when your card is ready to pick up,” according to a government statement.
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