— $260M allocated to construct more police stations this year

A $65M state-of-the art-user friendly police station was commissioned on Friday at La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD) and ranks were called upon to pay keen attention to the maintenance and preservation of the new facility.

Speaking at the launch, Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan, said the construction was done in two phases: phase one of the project cost $12M and that entailed land filling, construction of the concrete perimeter fence and the access bridge.

The second phase, he said, included the construction of the building which cost $53M. This consists of male and female bathrooms, an area dedicated to domestic violence, an ID parade room with a one way viewing glass, and a modern lock-up, along with external washrooms and waiting area for the public.

He said the police stations are being made user-friendly to members of the public.
“It is important then that we pay regard to these developments and in that context create the infrastructure to make citizens and residents enjoy the new capacities and developments,” he said.

Minister Ramjattan said with the commissioning of the new building, police will be better able to protect and serve residents within the community.
He said the police station is an indication of what government is doing at the community level to prevent crime.

“We have done a tremendous amount of investment in security, and as you know, it is not only training of policemen or furthering their education, but it’s also getting the assets necessary so that when trained, they will utilise these assets for improved services to the community,” he said.

The minister also encouraged ranks to set about gaining the confidence of the people in the community they serve.

“One way of getting that across is also ensuring that our policemen are courteous, ensuring that in their training exercise they behave in ethical ways, that is a big asset in itself. Sometimes, it is an asset that is worth more than ATVs and vehicles, but to ensure that that happens we need comfortable and pleasing circumstances in which to operate in working conditions,” Ramjattan said.

MUCH TO BE DESIRED
He said when he was made minister of public security in 2015; a survey was done of the police stations and it left a lot to be desired.

“The quality, standards, surroundings, the environment and even our CID headquarters had so many derelict vehicles inside; we removed many; with this beautiful environment that you have here, I hope there is no packing of motorbikes and derelict vehicles, that will be an activity that will be against governments ‘green’ policy, and it is important that you understand that your conduct will flow from your comfortable circumstances,” the minister said.

He explained that government is investing $1.8B of central government resources for the refurbishment and construction of police stations countrywide.

“We will continue to mobilise more resources so that police can provide people with the type of service they deserve. Up to the end of 2018, we had invested up to $821M on police stations and police buildings. This year $307M to standardise our infrastructure,” Ramjattan said.

He explained that $260M will be spent this year on the rehabilitation of the Brickdam Police Station, the construction of Golden Grove Headquarters, the construction of Fort Wellington Headquarters, the construction of Mahadia divisional headquarters, the rehabilitation of Lenora Police Station, the reconstruction of Anna Regina Headquarters, the construction of Mabaruma divisional headquarters, the rehabilitation of the special branch building and the rehabilitation of Cove and John Police Station.

He said the monies were garnered from Central Government and the citizen’s security programme.

Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police, Leslie James, who was divisional commander in Region Three before taking up the post as commissioner, was at the commissioning of the police station.

He reflected that during meetings at La Parfait Harmonie Community Centre, there were “cries for more assistance, more responsiveness; cries for more and better policing and I did make a big promise that I will write and indicate to my superiors the need for a police station in La Parfaite Harmonie”.

The top cop said it was a pleasure to return as commissioner to unveil a new police station that was provided by the Government of Guyana.

“We will make it very clear to the ranks that will be stationed here that our motto must be maintained, that is service and protection. Today is another good day in the history of the force, the history of the State, where we continue to deliver on promises. The government and the minister have also lived up to the promise,” the top cop noted.