…assures stakeholders at meeting with Private Sector Commission
Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee yesterday assured citizens that in spite of the perception that there is an increase in crime in Guyana, the bigger picture is that there is no threat to national security.
During a meeting with the Private Sector Commission (PSC) at the Ministry, Minister Rohee, noting the trauma that results from criminal incidents, said that “the big picture remains, that national security remains intact.”
He added that irrespective of the gangs that there may be, and the extent to which they may be armed or the impact they may have, “the Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Prison Service, Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Fire Service are all up to deal with any threat to the stability of the state.”
According to Rohee there is a perception among the public that there is a renewed upsurge in crime in Guyana, but people need to look at what the statistics show and weigh the perceptions against the statistics.
He said his Ministry is prepared to listen to persons who may have various perception of what the security situation is, whether on the coastland, in the interior, or any part of Guyana.
However, he refuted reports that the situation seems to be spiralling out of control, and the country is returning to what it was 10 years ago. Hence he hopes that the meeting will change views while providing the opportunity for stakeholders to ventilate their concerns.
He urged them to seek solutions and address the issues; and as much as possible to reduce the areas of diversion and create more areas of conversion as there is a common interest among them.
Rohee highlighted Government’s commitment to the security of its citizens, which, he said, is supported by the increasing allocations for the security sector in the National Budget.
“Government cannot be found wanting for investing greater in the security sector, when you look at the national budget over the past years… more money is being spent in the security sector,” he emphasised.
Chairman of the Governance and Security sub-sector of the PSC, Gerry Gouveia, said that the PSC has discussed the issue of police mobility and is asking Government to address both rapid response mobility and air mobility for the police, especially in light of the fact that the force seems to be facing a challenge from the hinterland where crimes seem to be focused.
Chairman of the PSC, Ramesh Dookoo, also registered the PSC’s concern about both the domestic and commercial type robberies that are taking place. He said there is a sense of growing concern and discomfort regarding criminal activities.
Police Commissioner Henry Greene, Deputy Commissioner David Ramnarine, and other senior members of the Guyana Police Force were also present at the meeting which also included representatives from the mining, forestry and shipping sectors. (GINA)