THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) will be working with the administration of the University of Guyana (UG) to ensure that safety on the campus, whether day or night, is paramount and, if police intervention is needed to bolster security such provision will be made available.

This is according to Crime Chief, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Lyndon Alves during a Town Hall meeting on Monday at UG, with Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith and Education Minister Dr. Nicolette Henry.

“Once there is a request from the university’s administration for the Guyana Police Force’s assistance, you can be assured that the assistance will be given to the university in any form or shape,” the deputy commissioner told the gathering of students and lecturers, to a resounding round of applause.

On Monday, a 25-year-old UG student was arraigned before the Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for allegedly issuing bomb threats towards the university.

Sheliza Jafferally, called Diane, of Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara, who is employed at Yello Guyana Inc. as a sale representative, pleaded not guilty to the charge of misuse of a telecommunication device.

The chief magistrate, on the grounds of public safety, remanded Jafferally to prison, until February 18, 2019.

The crime chief informed the gathering that the investigation (relative to Jafferally) was on-going, and other investigations have been embarked on, “and coming out of those investigations we will further seek legal advice on the way forward.”

Education Minister Nicolette Henry said that any threat to the education sector must not be taken lightly, adding that there have been similar occurrences at other schools.
“I am pleased that the university took the time to develop an emergency preparedness plan, so that there is contingency planning in the event there is a real threat at this institution, and certainly the safety, wellbeing and security of not only students and staff but also the institution,” the minister said.

She explained that new systems would have to be put in place as a result of the threats.
“Your institution came under threat and therefore, there is need to strengthen security to ensure that your safety is paramount and, therefore you would have to endure some of the new consequences so that your safety is given priority, I ask that you exercise patience and good judgment as we navigate these unchartered waters,” she told the gathering.

Vice Chancellor Professor Ivelaw Griffith, however, said that the university does not have the necessary resources to place enhanced facilities in place, and that requests would therefore be made to the Education Ministry, the government and the private sector, since there were many things under consideration.