MINISTER of Home Affairs, Mr. Clement Rohee yesterday approved the stringent security arrangements, planned by the relevant authorities, for the International Cricket Council (ICC) Twenty20 World Cup.
He told a Press Conference at his ministry, in Brickdam, Georgetown, that, following several meetings, he is satisfied with the plan presented for implementation during the matches.
Rohee said the Government has full confidence in the stakeholders and they have since signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the immigration authorities to facilitate the smooth transit of visitors to Guyana for the cricket tournament.
He added that, with the MOU, visitors do not require visas to come to Guyana for the purpose and the teams, sponsors and others were also accredited.
But Rohee said, after the games here, the authorities will have to ensure no one remains here illegally and they have since put measures in place to address the issue.
He said the Government has agreed, as well, not to charge fees for visa during the cricket period and the concession was posted on the websites of the Ministry and the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
This is the first time that the Caribbean is hosting the T20 World Cup Cricket and Guyana, St. Lucia and Barbados will host the third ICC T20 World Cup.
The opening ceremony will be staged in Guyana on April 30 after the New Zealand/Sri Lanka match that is to be followed by West Indies first match of the tournament against Ireland.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has announced that, as part of the collaboration among CARICOM countries, the Government of Trinidad & Tobago, following a request by the Government of Guyana, has kindly consented to put at the disposal of this country, four dogs and handlers competent in bomb detection and disposal, during the period the ICC 20/20 World Cup championship matches will be played locally.
The dogs and handlers are scheduled to arrive next week and this development will, significantly, bolster the security that has been put in place to ensure that the games take place without incident here.