MINISTER of State Joseph Harmon has defended the new concrete walls securing the Ministry of the Presidency (MoP), contending that it must be consistent with security features of a high office such as one of the President.

The previous chain-link fence has been dismantled for a more than 12-foot high concrete wall that also provides now, for very little view into the premises.

Addressing reporters at his last press briefing, Minister Harmon said the MoP has to be a safe zone.
“We have to ensure that, whatever physical facilities that we put in place, can guarantee the physical security of this premises and the physical security of the persons who enter and leave this premises.”

Harmon pointed to the 2002 shooting that left two persons dead after they had stormed the then Office of the President (OP).

Persons were protesting against the then People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government’s treatment of the people of Kwakwani and other Berbice bauxite mining areas when they barged into the presidential compound and were shot by guards.

“We have to put in place security arrangements that will prevent us from using maximum force as was done in the previous administration,” Harmon said, adding: “It is important for us to ensure that we have proper facilities. This is the office of his Excellency the President… we have to ensure that all of the security arrangements that are put in place are consistent with that high office which the president holds, and the fact that it is located here.”

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo was Guyana’s President at the time the protesters were shot. He had recently ridiculed the new security feature, calling it the “Great Wall of China”.

“The Opposition Leader is entitled to give his opinion on several matters which he expresses very easily these days,” said Harmon, who also pointed out that Jagdeo is enjoying more media attention as Opposition Leader than when he was President.

Rehabilitation was announced last year by Harmon after it was found that the then Office of the President was in a dilapidated state and needed urgent repair.
His concerns also influenced the decision to move Cabinet meetings to Camp Ayanganna.

The minister had pointed to several rooms in the building that needed immediate repairs, including the Cabinet room and the press room.

Harmon said the general work at MoP is on schedule and coming along fine.