The Sea and River Defence Bill 2023 was yesterday passed during the 12th Parliament of Guyana, with the aim of strengthening the country’s flood management system.
The bill, presented by Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill, aims to consolidate existing legislation, improve flood protection, and establish a modernized approach to flood management.
The bill introduces several key changes, including the consolidation of two Acts Cap 64:01 and 64:02 into a single Act, the definition of sea and river defence, and the establishment of a Sea and River Defence Board. The board will be responsible for planning, managing, and constructing flood defences, with expanded responsibilities compared to the current Act.
The bill also requires the development of flood protection plans, which will involve public consultation and consideration of technical, social, and environmental factors. Additionally, authorized officers will be established to exercise inspection, monitoring, assessment, and enforcement functions, with the power to issue waterfront protection notices.
Following Edghill’s presentation of the Bill, Opposition Member of Parliament, Amanza Walton-Desir expressed concerns and recommendations regarding the bill. She highlighted inconsistencies in the definition of sea and river defence, particularly with regards to natural defences. Further, Walton-Desir emphasized the need for a more comprehensive approach to flood protection, including the development of flood protection plans and the consideration of resilience measures.
Furthermore, the shadow Foreign Affairs Minister urged her colleagues to prioritize the needs of the poor and vulnerable, who, according to her, are often disproportionately affected by flooding and other natural disasters. Walton-Desir also emphasized the importance of taking a proactive approach to risk mitigation and management.
Opposition MP David Patterson also had objections to Edghill’s presentation and as such he wrote a letter to the Speaker of the House, pointing out that the Minister’s claim that the previous sea defence board did not meet gender balance requirements is incorrect. In his letter, Patterson attached a copy of the cabinet paper appointing the board of Guyana River and Sea Defence from October 2018-October 2020, which shows that eight out of 20 members were female, representing 40% of the board.
The Sea and River Defence Bill 2023 was published in December of last year. It is a comprehensive framework aimed at providing a modernized approach to flood management in Guyana. The bill aims to provide protection from inundation from the sea or rivers, and for the establishment, construction, and maintenance of sea and river defences, natural defences, and related matters.
