THE current and capital estimates and expenditures for the $1.8B allocated to the Home Affairs Ministry in the 2012 Budget were approved in the National Assembly on Thursday evening, in day two of the exercise. Secretariat Services; Guyana Police Force; Guyana Prison Service; Police Complaints Authority; Guyana Fire Service; and the General Registrar’s Office are covered under the current estimates.
APNU member Winston Felix questioned the reason behind the increase of three administrative staff, and their designations and emoluments, and Minister Rohee explained that the three officers were: the Administrative Assistant, who currently receives $90,000; the Principal Assistant Secretary, who receives $74,000; and the Expenditure Planning and Management Analyst, who receives $111,000.
Felix sought further clarification on how the Citizens Security Programme (CSP) would serve the citizenry, and Minister Rohee replied that it would see increased efficiency and more effective service of law and order around the country.
Under line item Maintenance of Other Infrastructure, Minister Rohee was asked to itemise what was slated to be maintained, and he disclosed that it covered construction of the revetment at the Juvenile Centre at Sophia.
Felix also sought additional information on the mobile floating outpost that is slated for construction. Rohee replied that the idea was taken from the Guyana Defence Force, and the outpost would cater for the current mining areas and also serve in the event that there was a gold rush.
Other APNU members also sought answers on how many Community Policing Groups (CPGs) had been indentified to receive vehicles. Minister Rohee said that had not yet been worked out.
Out of the $965M allocated under the Secretariat Services, $4.5M would cover extension of the building housing the subject ministry, whilst $10.7M would cover the cost of purchasing a vehicle, office equipment and furniture for the Home Affairs Ministry.
Rohee told the National Assembly that the CSP had been allocated $895M under the Inter American Development Bank. Additionally, CPGs would be provided with vehicles, motor cycles, boats, and equipment from an allocation of $28M.
The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) has been allocated $27M, from which the Unit would be provided with vehicles, boat, engine, furniture and equipment.
There is also provision for rehabilitation of the building housing the agency, Rohee added.
Out of $575M allocated to the Guyana Police Force, $197M would go to construct and rehabilitate police stations, quarters, outposts and lock-ups.
According to Rohee, with regard to land and water transport for the GPF, there was an allocation of $140M. This sum would see construction of mobile floating outposts, and the purchase of vehicles, motor cycles, balahoos and outboard engines.
The Guyana Prison Service would benefit from rehabilitation and construction of buildings and fences; the purchase of cell locks, and payment of retentions.
The total sum of $113.7M allocated to that agency would also cover purchase of vehicles, motor cycles, furniture and equipment.
The Guyana Fire Service would also see tangible benefits from its budgetary allocation of $222.6M; and there are plans for the construction and rehabilitation of fire stations and the training school, Rohee pointed out to the House.
The sum of $85M would see the purchase of vehicles, water tenders and bowsers.
The purchase and installation of communication equipment for the Guyana Fire Service would be covered under a $14M allocation, while purchase of tools, equipment, and furniture has been provided for.
Additionally, Rohee told the House, the General Registrar’s Office has been allocated the sum of $7.4M to upgrade its electrical system and purchase equipment and furniture.