A HISTORICAL event occurred in the National Assembly last night when the entire Home Affairs estimates for 2014 was approved without a single question asked by the parliamentary Opposition.

Of the $19.5 B allocated for the sector, sums have been allocated for training to be conducted for the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit. A sum of $382.6M has been allocated to train the joint services, while $413M is budgeted to train and equip community policing. The latter allocation has generated some interest by the parliamentary Opposition during the debate.

The sum of $1.2B has been allocated for the completion of the Police Force’s Forensic laboratory and the fire training school and the continuous upgrading of physical infrastructure across the joint services in locations across the country.

A sum of $1.1B has been allocated to support land, air and sea operations of the joint services while another $1.1 B is allocated to effectively equip the forces to serve and protect citizens.

Further, the sum of $380M has been allocated for Citizen Security, which will go towards the completion of the Forensic Laboratory, and the provision of equipment. This targets the reduction of the levels of crime, violence and insecurity in the country.

Under Part II of the programme, the sum of $120M will go towards institutional strengthening and modernisation of the administrative structure of the sector.

The sum of $413M allocated towards Community Policing will go towards the purchase of vehicles, all terrain vehicles (ATVs), boats, motorcycles, furniture and equipment. This is aimed towards improved security in communities.

The allocation under police stations and buildings will see the sum of $254M going towards the completion and construction of police outposts at Santa Cruz, Hogg Island. Further rehabilitation and repairs will target the New Amsterdam and Brickdam police stations in addition to the barracks at the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) and police station at Golden Grove and Turkeyen.

Additionally, the sum of $218M has been allocated towards the purchase of arms and ammunition, fingerprint, ballistic, and other equipment.

The Guyana Prison Service has been allocated the sum of $212M going towards works at the Georgetown and Lusignan Prisons. A further $40M is earmarked for the purchase of communication equipment among other items.

The Police Complaints Authority has been allocated $930, 000 for the purchase of a refrigerator and a switchboard system.

The Guyana Fire Service’s allocation of $92M will see the construction of fire stations at La Grange, Land of Canaan and Corriverton.

The Customs and Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) has been allocated the sum of $16M that will be directed towards the purchase of vehicles, electronic monitoring equipment and drug analysers.