After a long day of intense debates, the National Assembly successfully approved several crucial pieces of legislation on Thursday which are all aimed at bolstering Guyana’s development and aligning with international standards and best practices. Among the notable bills green-lighted were the Foreign Judgments Bill 2023, the Radiation Safety and Security Amendment Bill 2023, and the Planning and Development Single Window System Bill (2022).
The passage of the Foreign Judgements (Reciprocal Enforcement) Amendment Bill 2023 marked a significant step towards facilitating the enforcement of judgments and court orders in foreign countries and Guyana alike. The Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall who read the bill, noted that this pivotal legislation is a key component in the arsenal of modern laws necessary to foster economic growth and attract foreign investment.
Another crucial bill, the Single Window Bill, which underwent its third reading in the National Assembly, promises to revolutionize the way business is conducted in Guyana once enacted. The latest version of the bill includes a crucial subclause mandating the rigorous monitoring and evaluation of relevant agencies in their operations. The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) of the Ministry of Housing will now be responsible for overseeing and assessing these agencies’ performance, in addition to establishing timelines for processing and approving planning and development applications. Furthermore, the bill introduces the publication of semi-annual reports on the number of received applications and their respective statuses on the Ministry’s website.
In a significant move to regulate and promote the safe and responsible use of ionizing radiation, the Radiation Safety and Security Amendment Bill 2022 received unanimous support and passage in the National Assembly. The bill, which had been initially introduced in April 2022 and referred to a Special Select Committee for review, recognizes the myriad benefits of ionizing radiation in areas such as health, energy, agriculture, and industry. However, it also emphasizes the need for stringent regulations to safeguard individuals, society, and the environment from potential hazards.
According to the Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony who presented the bill, to effectively achieve the objectives of this bill, the establishment of an independent regulatory authority, known as the Radiation Safety and Security Board, will occur. This Board will collaborate with relevant government agencies to ensure that activities involving ionizing radiation and nuclear energy in Guyana serve peaceful purposes exclusively.
Additionally, other significant bills, including the Data Protection Bill, received their first reading in the National Assembly and are slated to return for further consideration and passage in the coming months.
