Regulations and rules being drafted to accompany Local Content Act -says AG Nandlall

The Attorney General explained that the Local Content Act, which was passed in the National Assembly last December, was an initial attempt, on the part of Government, to create a novel statutory framework.

Regulations and rules being drafted to accompany Local Content Act -says AG Nandlall

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall has announced that the Government has already drafted regulations and guidelines to accompany the Local Content Act. His statement came in response to the recent ruling by the Chief Justice who noted that the Local Content Act was without regulations and rules.

“These Regulations and Guidelines will further enhance the legislative framework, as well as set out criteria which will inform the exercise of discretion and guide the decision-making processes enshrined in the legislation. These measures will also address the conduct of operators in the sector, including their compliance levels with related legislative and administrative requirements, as we strive to achieve the legislation’s core intent, that is, to protect and promote Guyana’s best interest,” the Attorney General said.

He said the draft regulations and guidelines will now benefit from the ruling of the Chief Justice and experience garnered in the sector.

The Attorney General explained that the Local Content Act, which was passed in the National Assembly last December, was an initial attempt, on the part of Government, to create a novel statutory framework.

“As a result, we promised that it will remain under constant review and will be modified and refined with time and experience,” he said.

However, he said Government is satisfied that the Act provides a solid foundation which has guided the sector thus far and enabled a protective network for the interest of Guyanese and Guyanese companies operating in the sector.

To date, the Local Content Secretariat has issued more than 350 Local Content Certificates, however, it found itself in a legal battle with Ramps Logistics (Guyana) after it refused to grant the company a licence to operate in the Oil and Gas Sector.

On Friday, the Chief Justice ruled that both the Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat and the Local Content Secretariat breached the Act when they refused to grant the logistics company a license since it had met all of the requirements under the Act.

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