By Alva Solomon
THE country-wide security arrangement, ‘Operation Dragnet’ will be extended beyond its June 1 cut-off date as Guyana will co-host the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government Summit in July.This is according to President David Granger, who spoke with members of the media at Bartica on Saturday.
When asked if the arrangement will be extended, the President said “in the sense, yes, because at the time of the launch, we did not anticipate that the Caribbean Community Heads of Government meeting will be held here in July in Georgetown.”
The President added, “so there will be nexus, a connect at the end of the Independence and the start of the Caricom Heads of Government meeting.”
Operation Dragnet commenced on December 1 last year and was slated for conclusion on June 1, soon after Guyana will have celebrated its 50th Independence Anniversary.
The exercise was initiated after a security briefing to Cabinet by Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan, following instructions from President David Granger as Government seeks to ramp up security in light of various security threats.
At the time of its launching late last year, the authorities noted that the operation would see an increased presence of Joint Services members and other law-enforcement agencies at key locations across Guyana.
All members of the Police Force, who are not engaged in core policing functions, would be deployed to give an increased “robust presence” to boost public confidence and ensure safety of the general populace. It was launched during the busy and bustling Christmas season late last year.
Guyana will co-host the CARICOM heads meeting this year since Dominica cannot, at this time, undertake the responsibility as host country. The Caribbean island suffered significant damage after Tropical Storm Erika had battered it for five hours last August.
According to a Communiqué released by the CARICOM Secretariat at the conclusion of the 27th Inter-sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community, which was held in Placencia, Belize, in February this year. The 37th Regular Meeting of the Conference will be held from July 4-6, 2016, under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit and will be co-hosted by the CARICOM Secretariat and the Government of Guyana.
Prime Minister Skerrit had declared a national disaster after noting the loss of life and physical damage to Dominica.
Guyana will assume Chairmanship of Caricom from January 1 to June 30, 2017, according to the rotation schedule for the Chairmanship of the Conference.
Meanwhile, as part of his schedule, President Granger is expected to address the National Assembly this week in relation to this year’s Golden Jubilee celebrations. The President told media operatives that his address to Parliament surrounds the Independence Anniversary, which he deemed “a very important historical landmark.”