The House also passed the Energy Sector (Harmonisation of Laws) Bill 2002, harmonising the various laws governing the regulation of the electricity and energy sectors, with Prime Minister Sam Hinds saying that power generation will be fully competitive after 2004.

The main Opposition party, the People's National Congress Reform (PNC/R) was absent from the day's sitting as the party continued its "active non-cooperation" stance with the governing People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

The other two Opposition parties, the Guyana Action Party/Working People's Alliance (GAP/WPA) with members Ms. Shirley Melville and Ms. Shiela Holder and Rise, Organise And Rebuild (ROAR) member, Mr. Ravi Dev, were present and made their contributions.

The amendment to the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act was long due, Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Ronald Gajraj noted.

The Act was passed on December 20, 1940 and although it has gone through continuous amendments, it was deficient in addressing the current traffic situation, Minister Gajraj said.

The Bill seeks to introduce safety belts in all motor vehicles with a view of minimising injury and "loss of limbs and lives upon the occurrence of accidents."

The most important section of the Act stipulates that "every motor vehicle shall appropriately be equipped with a seat belt assembly for the front seats for the driver and every passenger" and prescribes a maximum penalty of not less than $10,000.

Section 45E of the Act states that every person who drives or rides on the front seat of a motor vehicle shall wear a seat belt.

There are, however, exceptions like in cases where a person holds a valid exemption certificate.

Vehicle owners and drivers are to ensure that the front seat of their vehicle is equipped with the adequate number of seat belts as required for the front seat.

The penalty for not doing this is a fine of not less than $7,500, in the case of the first offence, or in the case of the second and subsequent offences, a fine of not less than $10,000.

A person who sits in the front seat of a vehicle and does not wear a seat belt is liable to the same penalty.

In cases where a child travels in the front seat, the child, the Act stipulates, must be fitted with an appropriate child restraint system. The Act refers to a child not by age, but by the physical proportion of the individual.

These regulations will come into operation on the date the minister appoints by way of an order.

The seat belt regulations were crafted following countrywide community consultations.

"Speeds of varying degrees have embraced our roads, resulting in accidents that saw untold suffering, severe injuries, loss of limbs and even loss of lives. The objective of this Bill is to reduce if not prevent such injuries, such loss of limbs, such loss of lives, not to forget the economic drain that is caused to the country", Gajraj noted.

He said several studies have shown that the safety belt is the most effective short-term way of significantly reducing death and injuries from accidents.

Gajraj said that vehicle owners will be given some time to put their vehicles in order for those who do not already have seat belts in place.

He noted that the Government is in favour of granting duty free concessions for the importation of seat belts and seat belt devices and components.

GAP/WPA Member of Parliament, Ms. Holder gave her support to the Bill, noting that "precious lives could be saved if the occupants of vehicles were to buckle up".

Gajraj said regulations prohibiting the use of cell phones while driving, and regulations for the use of radar guns and a breathalyser will come into being shortly.

Meantime, Minister responsible for Tourism, Mr. Manzoor Nadir took the Tourism Authority Bill through its passage in the House.

Nadir said the Authority is being established to give focus and greater attention to the development of the industry.

The Energy Sector Harmonisation of Laws seeks to harmonise the various laws governing the regulation of the electricity and energy sectors.

This is so that the standards and authority for the issuance and enforcement of licences for the generation of electricity under the Hydro-Electric Power Act are coordinated with the standards and authority for those functions under the Electricity Sector Reform Act.

The Bill also seeks to clarify the role of the Guyana Energy Agency in advising and assisting the responsible Minister in setting national policy for the energy and electricity sectors.

Minister of Housing and Water, Mr. Shaik Baksh carried the Water Sewerage Bill 2002 through its passage in the Assembly, noting that the Bill seeks to ensure the sustainable and equitable use of the country's water resources.