Minister Robert Persaud
The National Assembly endorsed the Land Surveyors (Profession) Bill 2013, clearing the way for the establishment of A Land Surveyors Board.
The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) arrived at a welcomed consensus, following a brief debate last Thursday.
In presenting the Land Surveyors (Profession) Bill 2013 for the second reading, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud told the House that the surveying sector has been grappling with serious issues, which the bill will address when it becomes law.
Contribution
Persaud argued that while the surveying sector has been contributing significantly to the nation’s development, it is currently unable to meet the demands of the public and private sector, as Guyana’s economy continues to evolve.
It was further pointed out that the shortage of land surveyors has resulted in persons infiltrating the sector illegally. “… we found too over time there have been complaints about the quality of work, complaints about ethics and even complaints about persons professing and presenting themselves as land surveyors… and they have been misleading individuals and that has led to a whole host of other problems.”
The five-man Land Surveyors Board will address many of these problems. The board will consist of the commissioner of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC), three land surveyors with at least 10 years of local experience and one other person. Additionally, the board will prescribe any additional qualifications necessary for registration as a land surveyor, adopt procedures for the review and approval of the courses of study in land surveying at institutions of higher education based on prescribed educational requirements and examine the qualifications of persons holding a certificate of competency in land surveying and desiring to practice in Guyana.
Registration
The bill also paves the way for the registration and licensing of land surveyors and the overall regulation of the sector.
Minister Persaud made it clear that penalties have been attached for persons who act in contradiction of the laws governing the sector.
APNU parliamentarian Rupert Roopnaraine said the bill is a step into the right direction.
“It’s worth noting that the 2013 bill breaks new grounds in setting out the laws in which land surveyors are expected to develop some similarity.” Roopnaraine told the House that the bill will also address the legion of vexatious issues surrounding land tenure in Guyana.
