$38.9B for national security
– Training, rehabilitation and construction of new police stations among plans
– $428.1M for the procurement 50 vehicles
– $63M to procure two water tenders for Linden and Bartica
High on the agenda of the PPP/C Administration, is the safety and well-being of citizens, with the sum of $38.9B provided for in the 2020 Emergency Budget, to propel this agenda.
Minister of Public Works Hon. Juan Edghill, who was given the responsibility by His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali to present the national budget, said that resources will be deployed to improve investigative and forensic capabilities and provide equipment, facilities and training for law enforcement officers.
“Government will also focus on expanding the use of ICT in the fight against crime, providing better remuneration and conditions for the officers in our security forces and ensuring greater accountability by the Police Force for solving crime,” the Minister said.
It was highlighted that over the past five years there has been no rehabilitation of the country’s prison system. However, in the 2020 Budget, the Minister pointed out that the government will “seek to reform the prison system, to improve conditions and ensure compulsory training and educational opportunities for prisoners, security and safety prison officers.”
The sum of $1B is in the Budget for ongoing works on police stations and divisional headquarters countrywide. These include the headquarters at Anna Regina, Fort Wellington, Mabaruma, Golden Grove and Mahdia. Coupled with this is the construction of new police stations at Cove and John, Brickdam, Matthew’s Ridge, Leonora, Lethem, Whim, Albion, Parika, Wismar and Mahdia.
Further, the government has set aside $428.1M for the procurement of 50 vehicles which will adequately equip the force in its crime fighting capabilities.
Additionally, the firefighting capabilities of the Guyana Fire Service will also be boosted. Minister Edghill said that approximately $63M has been allotted for the procurement of two water tenders for Linden and Bartica.
Meanwhile, the facility at Mahdia will benefit from an upgrade, in addition to receiving additional vehicles, tools and equipment to aid in firefighting.