Home Affairs Ministry dismisses APNU misleading, controversial claims on security reforms

The Home Affairs Ministry in a release today responded to a statement issued by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) on February 8, demanding that the Capita Symonds report be laid in the National Assembly and be published in the media.

The Party stated that it will not make any comments with regards to the “alleged contents” of the report, until it has received and studied it.

The Ministry is of the view that these claims are clearly another brazen attempt by APNU to mislead the public and create controversy around what is a rather simple and straightforward matter.

The full 300-page report has been placed on the Ministry’s website, as per a commitment that was given by no less a person than the Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee himself when he unveiled this strategy on December 31, 2012.

The release stated that in light of the widespread public interest in this matter, posting the strategy online; making it easily accessible to all and sundry was the most logical thing to do.

“It is therefore not unreasonable to expect that the APNU would have the technology at its disposal to access the information they claim they wish to study,” the release stated.

The Home Affairs Ministry has never refused to lay the security strategy in the Parliament. In fact, the Government is prepared to lay strategic plans for the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Prison Service and the Ministry of Home Affairs in the National Assembly in accordance with established practices, conventions and the Standing Orders.

APNU is of the view that the private sector, the diplomatic community and other stakeholders are not aware of the contents of this strategy. This, the Home Affairs Ministry dismissed as a non-issue.

British High Commissioner to Guyana, Andrew Ayre was present during the signing of the contract with the UK-based Capita Symonds firm on January 28. At that event, he said that the initiative was indeed a valuable one for the future development of Guyana and called on all Parties to support its implementation.

In comments to the Government Information Agency (GINA), Captain Gerry Gouveia speaking from a private sector point of view lauded the Government for this bold initiative.

“We are extremely encouraged by this security sector reform and we really want to see wide spread support for it. The force needs widespread public support regardless of which sector you belong; it certainly has the unanimous support of the private sector,” Gouveia said.

Meanwhile, President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) also registered his support for the reforms. He said that public safety and security is not static and this new strategy is designed to equip the police with the necessary tools to deal with the ever changing environment.

The strategic plan can be accessed on the Ministry’s website- www.moha.gov.gy.