President David Granger yesterday said that the interventions that the Government has made to tackle crime are already showing some positive results.
“I am seeing a lot more criminals being arrested very soon after the commission of the crimes… I am seeing faster response from the CID,” the President said, according to the Ministry of the Presidency.
Speaking to reporters after the Consecration and Trooping of the Colours ceremony at Base Camp Ayanganna, Granger said that he continues to engage the Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, the Army’s Chief of Staff, the Commissioner of Police and other members of the Defence Board weekly.
He said that despite some improvements, the transformation needed in the security sector will take time but Government is working assiduously to ensure that crime is brought under control.
“I am fully aware of what needs to be done in order to deal with the defence situation that Guyana finds itself in at present and also the crime situation… I am sure in a short period of time, maybe half a year or so, we will be on top of the crime situation,” the Head of State was quoted as saying.
The President said that the country is dealing with problems which have developed over the past 23 years, which his administration is now trying to rectify.
He disclosed that the Government is in the process of setting up a national anti-narcotics agency which will be headed by Major General (rtd) Michael Atherly, who had been heading the task force on narcotic drugs and illicit weapon under the previous administration.
Granger said that this agency is expected to bring narco-trafficking under control and this will in turn help to control gun-running and other forms of transnational crimes. The Government is also moving to modify the National Drug Strategy Master Plan by mid-December.
