VEHICLES, including two boats and three 3-wheeler motor cycles, worth more than $17M, were handed over by Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, to Community Policing Groups (CGPs) representatives Tuesday to strengthen their operational capabilities.

The presentation took place outside the Ministry of Home Affairs, Brickdam, Georgetown.

Two boats, two double cab Pick-ups, one All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and three 3-wheeler motor cycles were handed over to CPGs in several divisions for the transport of CPG members on patrol of their areas.

Rohee said that the presentation of the means of transport for the CPGs is another commitment by the government to equip CPGs with the requisite resources to function effectively.

He told the gathering that recently President Donald Ramotar made a public statement saying that the government wishes to encourage the formation of more CPGs in the country. In that regard, Rohee made a public call yesterday for the establishment of more CPG groups countrywide.
He said: “We do not encourage the formation of CPGs and then leave them; we do so by equipping them for the maintenance of law and order in their respective communities. To do so CPGs need to be mobile with land and water transport and other forms of equipment and in fulfilment of our responsibility we made sure that they are provided with such to carry out their responsibilities.”

Rohee explained that there are some who criticise CPGs for unjust reasons but there is nothing in the world to replace CPGs because many countries in the Caribbean would like to have what we have as it relates to CPGs.

He pointed out that Guyana is the envy of the Caribbean where CPGs are concerned and “we need to grow and build the organisation so that the members fulfil their responsibilities for which they were appointed.”

Rohee said further that CPG members must ensure that they maintain the respect of the community they work in so they will be able to gain the respect of the people.

The Home Affairs Minister also emphasised that, “The vehicles were not given for private gain or to fetch plantain and cassava and if we are ever to find that the vehicles are not used for the assigned purposes we will obviously regain possession of it.”

Present at the handing over ceremony yesterday was Vice Chairman of ‘C’, ‘D’ and ‘E’ Divisions as well as Liaison Officers for all the divisions.

The two Pickup vehicles were issued to Berbice to patrol both Lower and Upper Corentyne and one of two fibre glass boats was given to Bartica, while the other one was handed over to Kwakwani; and the three 3-wheeler motorcycles were given to La Parafait Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, Lodge, Georgetown and ‘C’ Division.

***PULL QUOTE: The vehicles were not given for private gain or to fetch plantain and cassava and if we are ever to find that the vehicles are not used for the assigned purposes we will obviously regain possession of it.