The Private Sector Commission (PSC) has proposed the setting up of a commission of inquiry to examine the underlying causes of the criminal and possibly centrally directed violence that has gripped the country.
In its submission to the national stakeholders meeting on security with President Bharrat Jagdeo at the Office of the President yesterday, the PSC said while it was essential that the violence affecting the nation’s well-being be addressed, it was also incumbent upon the President to appoint a commission of inquiry into the causes of the violence that now threatens to challenge the authority of the state.
Along with the immediate appointment of a police commissioner, the PSC urged the appointment of the Police Service Commission. It has also suggested the immediate recruitment of a special operations specialist to direct the establishment of a Special Firearms Support Team and the acquisition of the equipment to support the team’s operations in keeping with Priorities 1 and 2 of the Security Sector Reform Action Plan (SSRAP) as well as to accelerate technical training in the use of special operational equipment.
The PSC said special arrangements should be made for the remuneration of the Special Firearm Support Team at a level of no less than $100,000 per month and that special employment benefits be introduced which are appropriate for the support and motivation of an elite special forces team.
The business group expressed serious concern in relation to the inadequacy of the rapid response capability of the security forces. In this regard, it urged that the lack of maritime and land-based capacity to move forces quickly be addressed.
Other recommendations included the establishment of a Parliamentary Oversight Standing Committee with terms of reference to allow for the complete involvement and participation of all of the parliamentary parties and consultation with civil society. It said the work of the standing committee should be supported by a small secretariat staffed by competent professionals, which would also coordinate successive joint consultations. This would allow the committee to monitor the implementation of the SSRAP effectively in each of its priority areas.
The PSC suggested too that the Special Parliamentary Select Committee immediately resume its task to complete the review of the Disciplined Forces Commission report.
With regard to the Citizen Security Programme (CSP), the PSC posited that the modernisation of the justice administration system must be time-based and implemented in accordance with a clearly defined schedule in order to achieve its objectives.
The PSC is also calling on the government to table in parliament, as soon as possible, a Security Sector White Paper that would fully address the need for a comprehensive national defence and security policy and strategic plan for the administration of the security sector. The white paper would embrace the full involvement and support of the parliamentary parties and civil society.
The PSC said the government should also give urgent consideration to the reintroduction of military awards, which is necessary for the building and maintenance of the “esprit de corps” of servicemen.
The private sector body also recommended that the consultations continue on a monthly basis until the Parliamentary Oversight Standing Committee is established.
