THE Guyana Police Force in collaboration with the Zara Group of Companies and the Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Foundation, on Thursday, commissioned a state-of-the-art information technology (IT) laboratory in the compound of the Charity Police Station, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

The laboratory which has approximately 32 computers, will provide information technology training to persons in the Charity and Pomeroon communities.
The commissioning of the IT centre adds to the 12 other facilities opened to the public by Zara Group of companies.

According to Coordinator of the Guyana Police Force Academy, Zara Computer Centre, Assistant Superintendent Gladwin Hanover, the partnership with the Zara Group of Companies started approximately 12 years ago with the main intention of fostering amicable relationships between the Guyana Police Force and citizens.
Superintendent Hanover said that the Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Foundation wanted to contribute to their homeland in a tangible way.

He said that the IT centres in the various regions are offering free IT training to members of the public.

“These centres were built strategically in police compounds so that members of the public could come to the police environment, interface with the police and be able to receive this free training,” Hanover said, adding that so far, the Guyana Police Force has seen an overwhelming interest from members of the public in other parts of the country.
Due to the large turnout and demand for the courses, He said that a centre was built at Suddie.

Similar centres were built at Coven John on the East Coast of Demerara; New Amsterdam, Blairmont; Wismar, Linden; Bartica; Kwakwani; Leonora, and Parika.
Hanover said Zara has been providing information technology training from the foundation level all the way to computer repairs and maintenance, and web designing. The training offered at the IT centres is accredited by the Guyana National Accreditation Council.

Region Two Vice-Chairman, Humace Oodit, said that the commissioning is significant and residents living in close proximity will benefit.
Oodit said the venture is worthwhile and he commended the Zara Group of Companies for considering a centre for Charity.

Oodit said the centre will boost the ICT sector in Region Two, as youths from even the Pomeroon River and other neighbouring communities will benefit.
Jay Sobhraj said that Zara Group of Companies will continue to work closely with the Guyana Police Force to provide free training to residents in various communities in the region.
Sobhraj said that he hopes that the farmers in Region Two could also utilise the technology to enhance their cultivation.