AGRICULTURE Minister Robert Persaud has expressed disappointment over the manner in which the Guyana Police Force has been moving with regards to the issuing of firearm licences to farmers who have been complaining bitterly about the situation.
Wild animals have been destroying their produce and they have raised the issue many times with the Minister.
The Agriculture Minister’s comments came while addressing farmers and residents of Kwakwani, Region Ten in the Upper Demerara River on Saturday last, where the issue was again raised. Several farmers have stated that applications have been written and sent to the relevant authorities since 2000 and, to date, there has been no response.
Minister Persaud, while giving a commitment to look into the matter, pointed out that farmers, Amerindians and the business community are a major priority areas set by the Administration for the issuing of firearm licences.
He stated that Cabinet has been in discussions and will be looking to modify and improve the process under which this is done and as such, there will now be a different process under which licences are being offered.
“In fact, the Minister himself (Clement Rohee), has expressed concerns about the delay and as such, there will be different ways under which this will be dealt with but I am frustrated as you are about the delay,” he added.
However, Minister Persaud said that while efforts will be made to improve services since farmers have a right to protect themselves and crops, the process will not be compromised by issuing licences to any and everyone.
At the level of the Ministry, representatives of the Guyana Police Force, the Legal Body, the Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Local Government authorities have been brought together to discuss the issue.
“We have brought all of them together to see how best we can control wild animals and we came up with a set of recommendations and these have been given to Cabinet and various agencies that are involved,” the Minister said.
He added that once this is supported it is anticipated that it will be given priority attention.