Packed legislative agenda for 2019 – Pres. Granger
– Natural Resource Fund Bill to be introduced
– amendments to be tabled with regard to Guyana Gold Board Act and its Regulations
– Intellectual Property Rights Bill to be brought before the House
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, October 18, 2018
Addressing the 11th Parliament, today President David Granger revealed the government’s, “packed legislative agenda to bring before the National Assembly in 2019”.
The Head of State highlighted several pieces of legislation, the first of which was the Public Debt Management Bill. This, he said, aims to address procurement system reforms. It is also intended to enhance improved expenditure planning, management and execution of the public sector investment programme. The president added that the bill, “will be introduced to ensure improvements in Guyana’s financial management.”
The Natural Resource Fund Bill will also be introduced. This Bill, President Granger stated, will place the administration of the Fund under the Bank of Guyana, “and will require parliamentary approval for withdrawals”.
The Mining Act and its Regulations are being comprehensively overhauled to ensure that mining is better regulated to “ensure safety, efficiency and environmental sustainability,” the Head of State explained. This move will see the Mining (Amendment) Bill and its companion Regulations being introduced in the National Assembly in the first quarter of 2019.
“Amendments will also be tabled in respect to the Guyana Gold Board Act and its Regulations. New regulations to reduce the use of mercury in the mining sector and to ensure better environmental practices on land and water resources will be also introduced in 2019,” the president stated.
Aimed at providing the Courts with gatekeeping functions to distinguish between frivolous or vexatious applications, the president noted that the Judicial Review Bill will be tabled.
The Head of State added that an Intellectual Property Rights Bill is also expected to be brought before the House to upgrade intellectual property rights legislation. This comes after decades of lobbying. He indicated that the Integrity Commission (Amendment) Bill will also be laid before the National Assembly. This aims to amend the schedule of declarants to more accurately reflect today’s range of senior public officers.
Paul Mc Adam.
Images: Jameel Mohammed.