Security in the Bartica area received a boost following the presentation on Saturday by the authorities of vehicles and boats to policing groups.

According to a release from the Government Information Agency (GINA), Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee handed over two Nissan 4X4 pick- ups and five boats equipped with 40hp Yamaha engines to the Community Policing Groups (CPGs) in E and F Division (Bartica/Mazaruni) to assist in policing the area.

According to the release the equipment was handed over to the area in keeping with a promise President Bharrat Jagdeo had made following an attack on the community on February 17, 2008 in which 12 persons were killed including three police officers.

Minister Rohee, in handing over the equipment, said that he was happy to be informed that the security situation in the area is back to normal. He noted that members of the CPGs should ensure that the equipment is not misused and he lauded the voluntary services given by them to ensure the safety of the community. As regard domestic violence, Rohee urged the groups not to turn a blind eye to such activities since they lead to serious acts which eventually affect the entire community.

Meanwhile, the completion of the Bartica fire station will see 12 persons from the community being recruited and trained on a voluntary basis to man the facility before its official opening in July this year. According to GINA, the facility was constructed following requests made by residents and Minister Rohee on a visit to the facility, said that a fire tender and firemen have already been identified for the community.

Barticians expressed appreciation to the authorities for the venture, since they noted that there is usually no one to turn to when a building is on fire in the area. Residents also voiced concern to the Minister during his visit on a number of issues affecting them. These included an area which houses the Bartica Arcade being allegedly used for the conduct of criminal activities, pollution of the river by mining concessions as well as congestion on the roadway leading to the ferry stelling, among others. The Home Affairs Minister promised to address the issues with the relevant authorities to bring relief to residents in the area, GINA noted.