By Saskia Warrick
As noise pollution reports continue to climb, the government is considering increasing penalties to address the issue more effectively.
Attorney General Anil Nandlall has confirmed that discussions are underway with the Home Affairs Minister and will soon be presented to the Cabinet for further deliberation.
Under current regulations, noise violations are subject to fines ranging from $75,000 to $750,000 and potential imprisonment of up to one year.
However, the Attorney General has emphasized that stricter measures are necessary to curb disturbances, highlighting that while individuals have the right to play music, it should not come at the expense of public peace.
The proposed changes may include higher fines and longer prison sentences for repeat offenders.
Additionally, the government plans to resume its campaign to seize noisy equipment, such as music carts and loudspeakers, used in violation of noise regulations.
This initiative aims to address excessive noise from various sources, including residential music, nighttime construction activities, and loud vehicles.
The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) sets residential noise limits at 75 decibels during the day and 60 decibels at night.
The increase in noise complaints has led to a renewed focus on enforcing these standards and ensuring compliance across communities.
The final decision on the revised penalties will be determined after Cabinet review, with the goal of implementing more effective solutions to mitigate noise pollution and enhance community tranquility.