.jpg)
THE security of a nation’s people is of paramount importance. Every citizen and even business entities expect to feel safe and live and go about their business without the fear of being robbed, attacked, injured or killed. This is one of their fundamental rights as citizens and the government has the ultimate responsibility to ensure that this right is protected. It is also important that a high level of security and safety prevails, not only for citizens, but for economic reasons and its international image. This however comes at a significant cost.
To achieve this requires a combination of interventions. It could be small at the community level, to huge budgetary allocations and to significant legislation in Parliament.
This column, which is dedicated to citizen security, has highlighted the various efforts of the Ministry of Home Affairs through its Citizen Security Programme. This programme has been an initiative to make communities safe and develop the capacity of the Guyana Police Force and the ministry. The cost is USD22M with strong support from the Inter-American Development Bank.
To some extent, this can be considered an integral part of the platform for a comprehensive security strategy. Such a strategy and plan were recently detailed by the Honourable Minister Clement Rohee that would bring tremendous benefits in the quest both to reduce the incidence of crime and anti-social behaviour and to bring about quick resolutions.
The minister declared that government’s Public and Security Strategy is now on the cusp of a critical, but necessary, phase.
It is in effect a five- year Strategic Plan, 2013 – 2017. There will be significant focus in four areas in the initial phase specific to the Guyana Police Service. These are in Administration;Succession Planning; Integrity/Probity; and Public Relations/Communications.
In the forwarding of this agenda, a contract to the value of almost USD1.7M was signed a few weeks ago for the supply of forensic equipment for the Forensic Laboratory. This is one of the major projects under the CSP.
The contractor, Western Scientific of Trinidad and Tobago, has four months to supply, install and test the equipment. The CEO of Western Scientific, which has executed similar projects in several Caribbean Countries, has assured that come May, 2013, Guyana will have the best forensic centre in the Caribbean.
This is no small expenditure, but, as Minister Rohee said, it is moving closer to the commissioning of the Forensic Laboratory. He gave the assurance that in the process, all procedures were adhered to as required by the National Tender Board.
The Forensic Laboratory is a giant step in providing law enforcement agencies with critical information in resolving issues that were previously difficult to conclude. There was a heavy dependence on laboratories overseas, which was both time-consuming and costly.
The National Forensic Laboratory will provide analyses and conduct tests and present critical evidence in crime-related activities.
He expressed full confidence and optimism for the fruition of this flagship project of the CSP. The establishment of this institution is being done with the greatest care and guidance to ensure that clients who would utilise the services would be fully satisfied with the integrity of the results of tests which must be beyond questioning.
Also present at the signing ceremony were the hierarchy of the Guyana Police Force and Junior Finance Minister Juan Edghill. The minister not only recognised the size of the investment, but stressed the importance of it.
He pointed out that for a long time the people of Guyana wanted more development in this area and there has been some level of impatience in the number of unsolved crimes.
The Forensic Laboratory will provide the law enforcement agencies and the courts fast and reliable information to determine outcomes of cases.
It is certain also that with this facility, the criminally-minded in our society, will be mindful of their activities, knowing that their chances of prosecution will be greater.
To achieve this requires a combination of interventions. It could be small at the community level, to huge budgetary allocations and to significant legislation in Parliament.
This column, which is dedicated to citizen security, has highlighted the various efforts of the Ministry of Home Affairs through its Citizen Security Programme. This programme has been an initiative to make communities safe and develop the capacity of the Guyana Police Force and the ministry. The cost is USD22M with strong support from the Inter-American Development Bank.
To some extent, this can be considered an integral part of the platform for a comprehensive security strategy. Such a strategy and plan were recently detailed by the Honourable Minister Clement Rohee that would bring tremendous benefits in the quest both to reduce the incidence of crime and anti-social behaviour and to bring about quick resolutions.
The minister declared that government’s Public and Security Strategy is now on the cusp of a critical, but necessary, phase.
It is in effect a five- year Strategic Plan, 2013 – 2017. There will be significant focus in four areas in the initial phase specific to the Guyana Police Service. These are in Administration;Succession Planning; Integrity/Probity; and Public Relations/Communications.
In the forwarding of this agenda, a contract to the value of almost USD1.7M was signed a few weeks ago for the supply of forensic equipment for the Forensic Laboratory. This is one of the major projects under the CSP.
The contractor, Western Scientific of Trinidad and Tobago, has four months to supply, install and test the equipment. The CEO of Western Scientific, which has executed similar projects in several Caribbean Countries, has assured that come May, 2013, Guyana will have the best forensic centre in the Caribbean.
This is no small expenditure, but, as Minister Rohee said, it is moving closer to the commissioning of the Forensic Laboratory. He gave the assurance that in the process, all procedures were adhered to as required by the National Tender Board.
The Forensic Laboratory is a giant step in providing law enforcement agencies with critical information in resolving issues that were previously difficult to conclude. There was a heavy dependence on laboratories overseas, which was both time-consuming and costly.
The National Forensic Laboratory will provide analyses and conduct tests and present critical evidence in crime-related activities.
He expressed full confidence and optimism for the fruition of this flagship project of the CSP. The establishment of this institution is being done with the greatest care and guidance to ensure that clients who would utilise the services would be fully satisfied with the integrity of the results of tests which must be beyond questioning.
Also present at the signing ceremony were the hierarchy of the Guyana Police Force and Junior Finance Minister Juan Edghill. The minister not only recognised the size of the investment, but stressed the importance of it.
He pointed out that for a long time the people of Guyana wanted more development in this area and there has been some level of impatience in the number of unsolved crimes.
The Forensic Laboratory will provide the law enforcement agencies and the courts fast and reliable information to determine outcomes of cases.
It is certain also that with this facility, the criminally-minded in our society, will be mindful of their activities, knowing that their chances of prosecution will be greater.
