-work on forensic lab progressing
HOME Affairs Minister Clement Rohee has reported that work has started on the construction of the Forensic Laboratory which will enhance the local law enforcement agencies.
He added that work was started on that project by Courtney Benn Contracting Services Limited (CBCSL) and he is happy that the consultants and contractors are working together to get the project moving.
The minister made this disclosure at press conference at his office last Friday.
Rohee said: “Internally we have started looking at equipment in addition to what the police already have and we have started formulating a human resource recruitment drive to see how we can outfit the forensic lab with the competencies that are required. Obviously they have to give priority to the human resource component.”
The minister stated that his ministry does not want to purchase a whole set of forensic laboratory equipment without the accompanying human resources so “we are working on both tracks at the same time.”
He noted that the priority remains on the human resource development and capacity for the forensic laboratory and as for the Intelligence Unit, he said work is proceeding to have that up and running by mid next year.

On June 7, 2011 the contract of $449M was signed for construction of a modern forensic laboratory between CBCSL and the Coordinator of the Citizen Security Programme (CSP) Khemraj Rai.
Rai said that in 2010 the contract was signed by the funding agency, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for the modernization of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) at the University of Guyana (UG) campus with the CSP for the construction of a forensic laboratory and the contract was awarded to CBCSL.
Police Commissioner Henry Greene, who said that the construction of the forensic laboratory is “like a dream come true” for any police force, noted that it will be very beneficial to crime fighting.
He stated that with the forensic laboratory it will be a plus for the work of the police in which forensic science aids in conviction.
Greene added that in 1987 the GPF created their own lab but had to rely largely on their overseas counterparts for DNA testing.
UG Pro-Chancellor, Dr. Prem Misir told the gathering that the construction of the forensic laboratory at the UG campus is indeed an historic moment which will play a major role in crime fighting in the multi-disciplinary field of forensic science.
The IDB Country Representative, Marco Nicola said that the development of the GPF is a key aspect for the prevention of crime and the prosecution of criminals.
Meanwhile, Rohee said that the construction of the forensic laboratory he believes is the flagship project for the security sector and MOHA.
He noted that it signals development for a country and when government moves in that direction with other agencies to respond to the complex nature of criminal activities with modern technology,it is a plus for the local law enforcement agencies.
He stated that the criminals are using both the old and new methods in perpetrating crimes and they will respond appropriately.
Shortly after the signing ceremony, CBCSL Chief Executive Officer, Courtney Benn said that their task is to make sure that the government of Guyana has a well constructed forensic laboratory in 12 months.