Gov’t promises “greater speed in the delivery of Justice”- Min. Edghill

Enforcement of AML/CFT on the agenda
Legal Affairs Ministry deemed dormant for five years
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall speaking to the media in front the High Court

Guyanese can expect greater speed in the delivery of Justice as the new administration has a packed legislative agenda which will be guided by visionary leadership. This is expected after the passage of the 2020 budget.

Making the disclosure was Minister of Public Works Hon. Juan Edghill during the presentation of the budget at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Wednesday. The Minister highlighted that over the past five years, the Attorney General’s Chambers and the Ministry of Legal Affairs were demonstrably dormant.

However, under the new government,

“many new initiatives will be implemented in collaboration with the Deeds and Commercial Registry Authority, which will be modernised, resulting in greater efficiency. We will explore collaboration with the Judiciary on measures to be adopted to produce greater speed in the delivery of justice. This will include the constitutional process for the appointment of additional Judges under a new Judicial Service Commission,” the Minister underscored.

The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bills which were drafted by the PPP/C Administration and passed by the previous administration will see a focus on enforcement.

“Guyana’s AML/CFT structure will remain under constant review, with focus directed to the area of enforcement. In this regard, the Special Organised Crime Unit will be transformed from a politically witch-hunting unit, to the enforcement arm of the AML/CFT structure, as originally envisaged,” the Minister pointed out.

Minister Edghill made known that under the previous administration, no major legislation was passed in the National Assembly. However, the Minister said there was great activity in the hiring of local and regional lawyers to represent both government and private individuals in a series of political litigations.

The abuse of power by the previous administration costed taxpayers millions of dollars.

CATEGORIES
TAGS