MINISTER of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee Thursday afternoon continued his community meetings, this time in Foulis, Enmore, East Coast Demerara, where he interacted with residents of the community and addressed their issues and concerns. Residents complained of not being granted firearms, noise nuisance, need for vehicles to be provided for CPG, more police patrols, more lights on the roads, persons liming on the street corners, smoking, stealing, robbing persons, hassling girls, and constant Bar-B- Que next to the Hindu mandir, which results in littering.
Minister Rohee said Government is committed to supporting the efforts of the law enforcement agencies, explaining that the amount of money being allocated on an annual basis in the national budget clearly shows that increasingly the resources that are made available to the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Fire Service, the Guyana Prisons Service and the Customs Anti Narcotic Unit are growing. He pointed out that the priorities of the government in the overall budget are health, education and security, and that the government has recognised that there is need for a healthy, educated and secured nation. He remarked those are the areas where most of the resources are being placed.
In addressing the community’s concerns, Minister Rohee said that in terms of firearm licences being granted, it is not a right, and persons are not entitled to a licence; rather, it is granted based on whether an applicant meets the stipulated criteria. He said the government has set three categories of people to be given priority for these licences; these are businessmen, Amerindians and farmers.
He advised that with respect to the noise nuisance, there is currently a campaign ongoing, with persons sent to investigate and action taken against culprits.
Minister Rohee said he will have to look into the issue of more vehicles for the CPGs, and that he agrees with the need for more police patrols. He fully supports this since there have been constant complaints from residents of other communities where CPGs meetings were held.
Minister Rohee said limers disturbing persons and taking part in unlawful activities has to stop and the police, as well as rural constables, must have a stronger hand in such matters. (GINA)