A comprehensive package of legislative reforms will soon be introduced to tackle a plethora of public issues as part of a broader effort to improve public order and strengthen regulatory enforcement across Guyana.
Speaking on his weekly podcast ‘Issues in the News’, Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, announced that the new measures are currently being developed and will form part of an extensive legislative agenda designed to address several long-standing public concerns.
He explained that the reforms are intended to modernise the country’s legal framework to better respond to present-day challenges and improve the quality of life for all Guyanese.
“We are coming out with a large menu of legislative amendments to deal with noise nuisance, indecent and vulgar music, as well as littering and the deposit of large volumes of garbage. It is going to be a comprehensive set of measures that will treat with all of these matters,” the AG stated.
Beyond addressing public nuisance issues, Minister Nandlall revealed that the government is also undertaking a comprehensive review of Guyana’s occupational health and safety laws, describing the existing regulatory framework as outdated and no longer capable of effectively governing the country’s rapidly evolving economy.
The legal affairs minister noted that Guyana’s health and safety regulations date back several decades and have failed to keep pace with the country’s unprecedented economic expansion, particularly within the construction and oil and gas sectors.
According to the AG, the scale and complexity of modern infrastructure projects, including the construction of the new Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge, and the emergence of the oil and gas industry have fundamentally transformed workplaces, requiring stronger and more contemporary legislation to protect employers, employees, contractors and members of the public.
He stressed that the existing laws cannot adequately regulate today’s work environments or address the risks associated with modern industrial and construction activities.
The AG said Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, Keoma Griffith, will spearhead the initiative, with the Attorney General’s Chambers and the Parliamentary Drafting Division providing legal and technical support to develop a modern statutory framework.
When completed, the new legislation is expected to significantly strengthen occupational health and safety standards while ensuring Guyana’s legal framework reflects the realities of its expanding economy and rapidly changing workplace environment.