President Irfaan Ali on Tuesday said the government has established a task force to address noise nuisance countrywide amid widespread complaints about the failure of the police to respond to affected residents.
Speaking at a press conference, Ali said the issue had been raised at every community meeting recently held by the government and was affecting citizens’ quality of life.
“Noise nuisance is affecting the quality of life of people,” he said. “And we have to address it in a way that allows the entertainment sector and allows people to have a quality of life, but at the same time does not destroy the businesses.”
The President said the task force would examine the issue across all regions and work with the Guyana Police Force.
“One of the complaints is the non-responsiveness of the police in addressing complaints or addressing issues at the community level,” Ali acknowledged.
Ali said existing bars and nightclubs could be encouraged to invest in soundproofing and suggested that financing could be made available through the soon-to-be-established Guyana Development Bank.
“For those bars and those nightclubs that are already established, when the Guyana Development Bank comes on stream, one of the things we should look at is how they invest in the noise-proof material to enclose their facility,” he said.
For open-air events and businesses, Ali said the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would need to establish a large-scale mechanism involving the use of sound meters to monitor and regulate noise levels.
The President also appealed to entertainment operators to exercise self-regulation before enforcement by the police and other authorities becomes necessary.
“Self-regulation is important in any country. Before you go to police and everything else, self-regulation is important,” he said.
Stabroek News had over the years published numerous complaints from residents across the country about noise from bars, parties, entertainment events and other commercial operations. Residents have repeatedly complained about music continuing into the early morning, the adverse effects on children and elderly persons and the failure of the police to provide lasting relief.
In March, Stabroek News reported that attorney Melinda Janki had written Ali complaining that noise generated during the 2026 Mashramani celebrations amounted to a health hazard, public nuisance and breach of the law. She sought explanations from the ministers responsible for health and home affairs.
That newspaper had also published complaints from residents of Leonora, Kitty, Queenstown, Roraima Housing Scheme and other communities about the health and social consequences of persistent noise.
The President did not say whether the government intended to strengthen the existing legislation, increase penalties or establish a central system through which complaints and police responses could be recorded and tracked.
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