THE staff strength at the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) is expected to double, among other advances, following Cabinet’s approval of a security reform initiative, which is expected to be implemented immediately.Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon, made the disclosure, yesterday during his weekly post-Cabinet news conference at the Office of the President.
According to him, the reform initiative follows “inter-current interventions” that have been made.
Dr. Luncheon added that in addition to doubling the Unit’s staff strength, the initiative: “provides for approval of job descriptions and specifications that will be applied to ‘authorised’ positions; addressed tenure and relativity, as it relates to what obtains across the board in Guyana’s joint-services.”
The HPS highlighted the fact that during the current Donald Ramotar’s Presidency, there have been substantial moves in improving the security sector, as promised by the ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C).
He cited continuous training, the introduction of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, the establishment of a Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) and enhancement of Guyana’s National Intelligence Centre, among other initiatives.
Dr. Luncheon contends that a combination of these and other efforts, which are all part of the overall security reform thrust, have changed the face of crime fighting in Guyana.
The HPS explained that the security forces in Guyana have greater access to human, financial and political resources in the execution of their duties.
He stated too that the initiative recognises the contributions made by CANU to law enforcement in Guyana, as it relates to the body’s investigations and prosecution efforts, as well as collaboration with international agencies.
Dr. Luncheon expressed confidence that CANU’s efforts in combatting narco-trafficking will be bolstered by the reform initiative.
The reform process is expected to run into 2015.

(Vanessa Narine)