PRIME MINISTER Samuel Hinds has issued a call to CARICOM countries to do all that is necessary to create the right security related conditions to encourage and attract investments in the region. He was at the time speaking at the opening of the Fourth Meeting of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) Commission at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC), Liliendaal on Monday.

“Our economies are in many instances fragile… scarce taxpayer funds of the donor countries are being expended to support our countries in tackling crime and security… we should not expect that there will be no end to this support from the US Government and other partners,” the Prime Minister remarked.
As a result, he emphasised the need for effective monitoring and evaluation with regard to the implementation of the programmes so as to ensure that objectives set are being met. He pointed out that countries should consider setting up working groups, as Guyana has done, to monitor projects undertaken under the CBSI in their respective territories.
The Home Affairs Ministry has established groups that mirror four main thematic areas under the CBSI. These are law enforcement information sharing, law enforcement cooperation and capacity building, crime prevention by focusing on vulnerable youths and risk populations, and maritime domain.
Additionally, US Ambassador, Dr. Brent Hardt has agreed to meet with the relevant officials. These engagements, which are ongoing, are held on a quarterly basis at the Home Affairs Ministry.
“They seek to ensure that we are aware of each other’s views as the projects roll-out and can concur on any adjustments. I believe that this initiative has aided Guyana in a tremendous way in ensuring that we implement and monitor the respective CBSI projects in an effective way,” the Prime Minister said.
This process would also assist in ensuring that value is derived from the sums spent. Earlier this year, Guyana and the US signed a 2012- 2013 Letter of Agreement to modify specific objectives under the CBSI which saw funding to the tune of $172M (US860, 000).
Meanwhile, in October, the US Coast Guard and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) completed an initial site survey of the GDF Coast Guard’s location, geared at providing a variety of support under the CBSI.

(GINA)