The draft bill relating to vandalism and theft affecting the telecommunications sector is to be submitted to the Attorney General’s chambers next week.

Telecommunications Minister Daryl Vaz made the revelation in a post on social media today.

Noting that telecoms providers continue to be affected by vandalism, Mr. Vaz reaffirmed that the government is seeking to disincentivize this practice.

He said the internal review of the draft bill has been completed and will be sent to the Attorney General’s chambers.

Mr. Vaz explained that the bill outlines proposed amendments to the telecommunications act, specifically, the section on penalties.

The current legislation indicates that a person commits an offence if that person trespasses upon any facility; meddles, interferes or tampers with any facility or otherwise causes harm to that facility.

Mr. Vaz noted that some of the proposed new penalties include, on conviction before a parish court, a fine not exceeding three million dollars or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years in the case of a first offence; and, a fine not exceeding five million dollars or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, for any subsequent offence.

He added that if the same offence is prosecuted at the circuit court and there is a conviction, the fine is at large and the imprisonment term is extended to a maximum of 15 years.