PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali has pledged a calibrated response to Guyana’s persistent noise-nuisance problem, promising measures that protect citizens’ quality of life while allowing the entertainment sector to operate sustainably.
Responding to a question during a recent news conference on the national economic and social policy, the president acknowledged that noise nuisance is “affecting the quality of life of people” and must be addressed in a structured and fair manner.
“Noise nuisance is affecting the quality of life of people, and we have to address it in a way that allows the entertainment sector and allow people to have a quality of life, but at the same time does not destroy the businesses,” he said.
He outlined a series of measures under consideration or already in progress. For existing bars and nightclubs, the President said government intends to work through the Guyana Development Bank to help operators invest in sound-proofing and other noise-control infrastructure.
“For those bars and those nightclubs that are already established, when the Guyana Development Bank come on stream, one of the things we should look at [is] how they invest in the noise-proof material to enclose their facility, so that that would help, “he explained.
In relation to open-air venues, Dr Ali said the administration is looking to strengthen self-regulation by providing clear, real-time guidance to operators. This includes working with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to design mechanisms that allow proprietors to monitor and control their own sound levels.
“The open area, we have to put the workplace [and] EPA in setting up a mechanism that alerts people so that they can look at the meter and know how to regulate. Self-regulation is important in any country. Before you go to the police and everything else, self-regulation is important,” the President underscored.
The Head of State also announced that government has already established a task force to address noise nuisance across all regions. This body is working closely with the Guyana Police Force, in direct response to long-standing public complaints about slow or inadequate responses to reports of excessive noise.
“We have also established, after consultations, a task force that is looking at the issue around across all regions, working with the police. Because one of the complaints is the non-responsiveness of the police in addressing complaints or addressing issues at the community level,” President Ali said.
