With Government budgeting $29.1B for the Public Security Sector there would be a 20 per cent Increase in the recruitment of police officers to boost the police presence as a deterrent to crime and restore public confidence.
Under the heading “safeguarding public security, rebuilding public trust” Minister of Finance Winston Jordan stressed the importance of the safety of the country’s citizens while noting that the maintenance of public order is also one of his government’s key priorities.
He acknowledged the fact that almost on a daily basis criminal activities occur whether petty or fatal across the country.
“Mr. Speaker, this Government will continue to keep our crime prevention and reduction strategy under constant review, and will implement a menu of measures aimed to both prevent and respond efficiently to crimes against our people and property.”
Among the measures to be implemented are the boosting of the police presence as a deterrent to crime; equipping the police with vehicles and improve mobility and response times to reported crimes; expanding patrols in key areas to deter criminal activity, for which over $740M has been budgeted, complemented by the expansion of the mounted branch in key hinterland locations; Re-establishing and operationalising the 911 service to restore public confidence in the response capability of the security services.
Additionally, government intends to strengthen the Integrated Crime Information System to ensure sister agencies such as the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) and National Anti- Narcotic Agency (NANA) share intelligence to enable the police to coordinate, intercept and detain criminals; strengthen the Office of Professional Responsibility to deal with rogue cops; and expand surveillance, utilising closed circuit television camera at both airports and in the city, as well as the development of the Smart City Framework over the period 2017 to 2019.
AT-RISK YOUTH
The Finance Minister noted that prevention measures will also target over 1000 at-risk youth who are to be trained in a 9-month programme in technical and vocational skills in 2017. It is anticipated that the 57 empowerment and education of youth in livelihood-building skills will help to reduce the incidence of delinquency and crime.
“Mr. Speaker, another measure that is being implemented is the launching of a multi-agency collaboration to tackle narcotics, smuggling, and human-trafficking. In December of this year, the National Anti-Narcotics Agency (NANA) will be launched to promote greater coordination between the agencies that are involved in the fight against illegal drugs, as well as transnational crimes such as contraband smuggling, and gun and people trafficking,” said the Finance Minister. He added that the National Drug Strategy Master Plan and a draft of the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Master Plan, both of which were completed in 2016, will serve as a strategic guide for ongoing crime fighting efforts.
Additionally, Jordan noted that as the country advances in the Information Communication age, the Integrated Crime Information System (ICIS) will be expanded. That system he said is designed to connect “our different security-sector related infrastructure, with the goal of improving intelligence and prevention and response tactics.”
To facilitate the expansion, $42M was expended this year to procure equipment and network infrastructure to enhance the connection of police stations to the data center. In 2017 approximately 30 police stations in Regions 3 5, 6, and 10, as well as Georgetown and New Amsterdam Prisons, will be connected to the System.
“Mr. Speaker, we will continue to improve the capacities of our security services on all fronts. To this end, in 2017, we will be upgrading 12 police stations across the country to handle domestic violence interviews, interviewing and case management.
In tandem with the establishment of Community Action Councils, the Government will develop community safety plans for 20 communities with the highest crime and violence rates, the Finance Minister stated.
“The plans will serve as a guide to improving community awareness, towards reducing the risk of crime and anti-social behaviour,” he stated.
The Minister said too that a study on violence against women and a study on crime and violence in indigenous communities, as well as a Safe Neighbourhood Survey, are to be conducted in 2017.
‘GREATLY EXPANDED’
Addressing overcrowding in the Georgetown Prison, the Mazaruni Prisons will be “greatly expanded” at a cost of $2.2B of which $369M has been budgeted for in 2017. This will see the expansion of offices, inmate living facilities, staff and family living facilities, training facilities, as well as the construction of a school, day care center and places of worship.
Meanwhile, the Finance Minister said for the first time, a Port Georgetown fireboat will be added to the fleet of fire vehicles, at a cost $250 M, to service Port Georgetown. In addition, expanded fire protection services has resulted in $49.4 M being allocated for two water tenders in Leguan and Wakenaam as well as two ambulances to augment the integrated 912 and 913 emergency services to improve response time.
Three new fire stations, costing about $77.5 M, will be constructed at Mahdia, Mabaruma, and Melanie Damishana.
On the foreign Policy, economic diplomacy, and diaspora relations front, Minister Jordan said $5.2B has been budgeted towards diplomatic efforts, in 2017. He noted that Guyana will be chairing the 28th Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
The bloc will be addressing critical regional issues, including the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). Also, at the multilateral level, within the framework of development cooperation between the European Union and the African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States (ACP-EU), Guyana will examine the option of pursuing an E-Visa regime, which is expected to reduce the cost of and improve access to visa applications and processing for foreigners wanting to visit the country.
Next year will see the Government exploring new options and avenues for growth and development, while it continues to engage our partners in critical issues such as human rights, democracy, environmental sustainability, trade, and investment at various multilateral fora, including UNASUR, Mercosur, and the United Nations.
“In addition, we will also reinvigorate our engagement with the Diaspora with the development of a Diaspora Strategy, which will guide our engagements with Guyanese abroad with more precision and concerted effort,” said Minister Jordan.
REDEPLOYMENT AND REINFORCEMENT
He recounted that in 2017 there was the redeployment and reinforcement of the country’s Foreign Service personnel en masse while noting that Guyana’s diplomatic presence abroad has been restored and bolstered with the stationing of 18 Heads of Mission across the globe, including at the two newly established missions in Trinidad and Tobago and Switzerland.
“This mobilisation of our foreign service comes at a most opportune time, for, in addition to garnering support for our national interests, and protecting our national sovereignty and territorial integrity, it has begun to deliver economic benefits,” he told the National Assembly.
Jordan said too that Guyana’s efforts in Cuba have resulted in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between a private Guyanese rice company and a Cuban import agency. He noted that the market demand in Cuba is anticipated to reach as high as 200,000 metric tonnes in 2017.
Meanwhile, in the Justice Sector, the Finance Minister reiterated his government’s commitment to the justice sector reform as one of its priorities. He said the APNU-AFC government continues to place highest priority on the maintenance of a strong justice system, given its role in upholding civil liberties and maintaining the rule of law.
“To this end, key areas that have been earmarked for strategic interventions, in 2017, include strengthening legislation to counter money laundering and the financing of terrorism; review of pre-trial detention policies; use of alternative sentencing; and constitutional reform.”
The Minister noted that while the country works assiduously to secure and protect against financial crimes, it has been recognised that the manner in which other offences are treated, especially non-violent minor charges must be reviewed.
Through the “Support for Criminal Justice System Programme”, the Government intends to reduce the burden on the prison system by implementing a comprehensive institutional strengthening programme, aimed at influencing the use of penal and rehabilitation policy and law.
“Ultimately, we intend to reduce the use of pre-trial detention for persons accused of minor, nonviolent, offences by aggressively promoting the use of alternative sentencing options such as probation, community service, restitution, and fines,” the Finance Minister stated.
