Security sector’s US$4M assistance from China to be re-adjusted to suit new priorities
Written by Gina Webmasters, Published in News, Georgetown, GINA, June 25, 2015, Source
In light of the new Ministry of Public Security’s priorities, the list of areas of support from which Guyana stands to benefit from China will be re-adjusted in keeping with the Ministry’s new focus areas.
Public Security Minister, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan told the media of this development following a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, H.E. Zhang Limin today.
Minister Ramjattan pointed out, “we have gotten a list that the previous government had sent to the Chinese Government for support, for this equivalent to US$4M, I have asked the Ambassador…just for some minor adjustments I might want to make to that list, in the light that we are going to put some priorities in other areas than the last administration, so we intend to do a readjustment to that list, and he was open to that.”
During this meeting at the Ministry of Public Security, Brickdam, the two officials discussed areas of mutual interest that could see possible collaboration between the two countries, which will in turn benefit them both.
According to the Minister, the meeting was a very good one which brought him up to date with the bilateral relationship between Guyana and China as it relates to security.
Among other issues discussed were training and capacity building for officers of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
Noise nuisance is also another area which will be given a lot of attention, and for this the Government of Guyana will be requesting quality testing materials, which would be able to effectively measure the decibels of music systems and or other objects and systems that contribute to this form of nuisance.
Also Guyana will be seeking technical support from China with regards to dealing with piracy.
Meanwhile, in the area of training a request has been made for local officers to be trained in Guyana by visiting facilitators. The reason for this is because more individuals will have access to the training, as opposed to few who will go overseas, according to the Minister.
Further, Guyana has received assistance for the Guyana Fire Service from the Chinese Government, over the past few years in the form of fire trucks and protective gear. This was highlighted by Minister Ramjattan who was at the time speaking of the strong relations shared between the two countries.
Meanwhile several other countries have also indicated their willingness to assist Guyana in the area of security; these include Russia, which has pledged its commitment to providing assistance through training, and capacity building for the officers in the GPF
Canada will also be assisting in this regard. Training through will be provided to local officers in five areas, which are gender violence, women in police leadership, human rights, crime scene management and public corruption.
Outgoing Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. Nicole Giles, had pointed out that funds will be available through a grant of CAN$750,000 to help develop the local justice system..
It is expected to be spent on legislative drafting, improving the administrative department of the courts and training for lawyers and judges along with capacity building for police officers among others.
