-eyes and ears operation to be revived
Greater collaboration is needed between the private sector and the authorities to address crime in the country.
These sentiments were expressed by Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee during a recent meeting with representatives of private sector organizations.
According to a statement from the ministry, the August 25th meeting was arranged by the Minister of Home Affairs to address concerns expressed by some members of private sector as regards security for the business community while the minister also used the opportunity to inform the sector about government’s initiatives and interventions to promote and ensure the safety and security of the citizens of Guyana.
Rohee assured representatives of the sector that there was no existing threat to the security of the state, and that the Joint Services were prepared to deal with any security threat that may arise. He said that a perception may have been formed about an escalation in crime in the country, as a result of the recent reports of robberies, most of which the police were able to solve.
He further assured that the statistics available did not point to a “spike” in crime in the country and called for greater collaboration between the private sector and the Ministry, to address crime in the country.
Several suggestions were brought to the floor by members of the business community, which the sector felt could improve the service delivery by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and several initiatives that were previously undertaken by the private sector organizations and the police, and which are at various stages of implementation were reviewed and reactivated.
Among the main decisions made at the meeting were:
-that the Private Sector Commission (PSC) initiate action with the Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company (GT&T), to resolve the issue of the technical problems that are affecting the proper functioning of the 911 system.
-that the finalization of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), would be effected, as a matter of priority.
– the establishment of communication measures with the Government of Suriname, through the appropriate channel, on the need for greater security cooperation with regard to policing the Corentyne River to curb acts of criminality.
– Intensification of collaboration between the banking sector and the PSC and the GPF in relation to security around the commercial banks.
The resuscitation of the initiative referred to as operation ‘eyes and ears’, which was conceptualized in 2003, by the PSC, and the GPF is also to be embarked upon.
Meantime as figures indicated recently that there is an increase in criminal activities occurring in the interior, many of them with fatal consequences, the examination of the possibility for the establishment of more check points in the interior is to be examined by the GPF in consultation with the Guyana Forest Products Association (GFPA) and the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA).
Among those present at the meeting were representatives of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI); the Association of Regional Chambers of Commerce (ARCC); the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA); the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG); the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA); and the Guyana Forest Products Association (GFPA).
Also in attendance, and forming part of the Ministry’s delegation at the meeting were the Commissioner of Police, other senior members of the GPF, and the Chief Fire Officer.
