National effort needed to capture criminals-Minister Rohee
-PNC/R, others out for political gains
Georgetown, GINA, February 2, 2008
Government has called for a countrywide endeavour to capture criminal elements in society which can be achieved through the support of citizens to the Joint Services.
Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee and Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said Guyanese must stand together and strive for one goal that will allow no other Guyanese to experience another trauma like the recent tragedy that occurred in Lusignan, East Coast Demerara.
Minister Ramsammy said it is unfortunate that while Guyanese are trying to heal from the incident which left 11 persons including five children dead, certain sections of society are trying to justify why the criminals carried out such horrific murders.
“It is reprehensible that Mr. Corbin and others like Oliver Hinckson try to justify the killings, I heard Mayor Greene too. On one hand they sympathise and on the other hand they try to say there is some other justification for the persons who committed these horrible crimes, that they have a social grievance, but look who they are attacking; innocent, vulnerable people.”
He said, “There are no ifs and buts in killing innocent people, we are talking about Lusignan, Canal No. Two, it happened in Agricola, it has happened in various parts of Guyana. This is not a grievance this is pure criminality.”
Minister Rohee lashed out at the leader of the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) Robert Corbin for his public position that the community of Buxton on the East Coast of Demerara is not a safe haven for criminals. He said Corbin is trying to gain political mileage.
“It’s a political game that clearly sends the wrong signal within the society…The PNC has exemplified, by its recent statement by the leader of the PNC that it is obviously playing a cat and mouse game which is basically self-serving,” Minister Rohee said.
“We have to go back some time ago where there was clear evidence that leaders of that party (PNC) were cohorting with these elements at Buxton. There is some kind of a pact that the PNC/R is not going to come out and take an unequivocal step that Buxton is a haven for these criminal elements and so as long as they continue adopting that posture it will continue to send the wrong signals and the public opinion will be divided on this matter, and clearly we cannot afford that.”
Meanwhile, the Home Affairs Minister pointed out that when individuals like ex-soldier Oliver Hinckson speak, they are coming from a historical background where they once had control over the military.
“Hinckson is coming from a generation that is reminiscent of control of the army by the PNC and that is precisely why when they distributed weapons wily nily and placed them in the hands of their friends of the institution of the State, now we finding that they cannot be accounted for…This new leadership of this military must be supported at all costs because it is a totally new leadership that requires the support of the nation to go after these criminals,” Minister Rohee emphasised.
Government has always been calling for law abiding citizens to support the security forces in their fight against crime.
The Joint Services in a release yesterday expressed appreciation to the residents of Buxton, Friendship and neighbouring communities for the excellent level of cooperation and support over the past two days during Operation ‘Restore Order’.
The release stated that such cooperation by residents has allowed members of the Joint Services to conduct their operations in a professional and effective manner.
“What they (criminals elements) are doing is holding the innocent people in that community hostage… It means therefore that sending the joint services after these criminal elements is to a large extent a consensus in society which is go after them, capture them and bring them to justice,” Minister Rohee asserted.
TOP
Infrastructural development ongoing at Cummings Lodge housing scheme.
- to benefit over 7500 residents.
Georgetown, GINA, February 2, 2008
The Cummings Lodge Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara, once a squatting area, has grown into one of the larger housing schemes and currently more transformation is underway that would elevate residents’ living standard.
The Government and the European Union have funded the infrastructural works ongoing at Sections C and Y of the housing scheme. The contracts for the two projects were signed on October 8, 2007.
Minister of Housing and Water Harry Narine Nawbatt said a number of activities will be conducted in these areas which would benefit the residents tremendously.
The first contract at a cost of over $170M caters for the construction of 11 roads, (a total length of 3.7 km) 19 walk ways, construction of 12 km roadside drains, 29 culverts, 6 km of potable water supply system and 2 reinforced concrete culverts.
In area Y, over $200M will be spent to construct 18 roads (5.6 km in length,) one walk way, 11 km of roadside drains, 21 culverts, 7.6 km of water supply system and one reinforced concrete bridge.
A total of 7500 people are to benefit from the construction in these two areas.
TOP
Sophia residents benefiting from new bridge
Georgetown, GINA, February 2, 2008
The Ministry of Housing and Water has constructed a new bridge at Farmers Field Sophia which is benefiting many persons in that community.
Students and teachers of the Mercy Wing School and day care centre will especially benefit from this initiative since they usually use that bridge as a walk way to school. The previous structure was dilapidated and was a serious threat to those who used it. 
Sister Julie Mathews, Regional Coordinator of the Sisters of Mercy said the new structure is very important to the community since the children cross there everyday to get to nearby schools.
Mathews said it is the responsibility for Governments to provide for their citizens and it is good when they live up to expectations. 
TOP
Community involvement critical to crime fight
Georgetown, GINA , February 2, 2008
Effective community policing has a positive impact on reducing neighbourhood crime, as it helps to lessen fear and enhance the quality of life in the community. Its purpose of coalescing the efforts and resources of the law enforcement agency, government and community members is recognised in several communities where there are active groups.
For years the Guyana Police Force has been plagued with shortage of ranks and officers and in a bid to address this shortcoming, the administration advocated the formation of Community Policing Groups (CPG) to assist in this area.
Community Policing Groups evolved from crime prevention committees which were formed at La Grange on the West Bank Demerara in 1976 by the then Commissioner of Police Mr. Henry Fraser. Subsequently it gave way to the creation of Community Policing due to the growth of the system.
Now there are 192 CPGs with 3,051 members across the country, formed on a voluntary basis and spanning the ten administrative regions
.JPG)
Newly formed Laluni Community Policing Group
The Guyana Police Force has been working with groups, cognizant of the complementary role of CPGs to the Force, particularly in bridging the gap between police and the community, a vital link in the fight against crime.
The administration has for several years placed major emphasis on the formation of these groups and this was reiterated recently by President Bharrat Jagdeo when he met with residents of the East Coast Demerara recently on strengthening protection of their respective communities.
While some of these groups have been effective in some communities there are others that are not functioning as they should.
President Jagdeo urged the residents that at the community level they have an important part to play in ensuring it is free from crime.
President Jagdeo, meets with CPGs
In the face of criticisms about CPGs, Government remains unshaken in its support for these groups and has been providing them with tangible support in the form of equipment and vehicles.
Community Policing is not a fly by night policy of the Government and is in fact, part of a structured unit linked to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
In December 2006, Government handed over five motor-cycles to members of CPGs and early the following year handed over three boats to members of the Bartica CPG in Region Seven to assist the security forces in the fight against piracy.
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee hands over boats,engines to Bartica CPG
In July, a $3.6M vehicle was handed over to members of ‘A’ Division and in October, CPGs received motorcycles and a quantity of other gear through a private sector and Ministry of Home Affairs initiative.
CPGs also receive bicycles, torch lights, batteries, caps, two-way radio sets, hand cuffs, berets and long batons.
There are sworn rural constables in the groups that are licensed firearm holders.
Though their effectiveness may not be seen at first glance, with cooperation between the police and the community strengthened over time, the joint venture is better able to identify the underlying causes of crime, hence the emphasis on the formation and sustenance of these groups which play a key role in keeping societies safe.
The formation of Neighbourhood Policing Groups has also been encouraged for the recruitment of 600 such ranks. The desired response has not been forthcoming as there have only been about 200 applicants.
TOP
Region Three women benefit from empowerment session
Georgetown, GINA, February 2, 2008
The Women’s Affairs Bureau (WAB) a unit of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security recently held an empowerment session at the Hague Roman Catholic church, Region Three where social issues affecting women and the Ministry’s sexual violence Paper “Stamp it out” were discussed.
The audience consisted of approximately 60 women and was chaired by Administrator of the WAB, Haymawattie Lagan.
Several of the women spoke of the abuses committed on them by their spouses and Lagan took the opportunity to explain why the proposed changes to the existing outdated laws on sexual offences are necessary. She advised those affected on how they can access help and get out of the abusive relationship.
Discussing the Paper, several participants referred to women who are scantily dressed to advertise products and suggested that media operatives should be penalized for using women as sex idols inn their promotions. They also suggested that professional actors be employed in advertising so that they can use the best method to disseminate their message.
Providing their recommendations and suggestions on the Paper, the women called for more social workers in schools and that young parents especially teenagers, should be taught parental skills among others.
“Stamp it out” is the sexual violence Paper proposed by Government as a step toward reforming the law on sexual offences.
The WAB was established in 1981 and has been instrumental in drafting policy documents, enabling Government to implement several programmes to protect and empower women. This has resulted in Guyana being the only country in the Caribbean Community with a parliamentary composition of over 30 percent women.
The services provided by this department are available in the ten administrative Regions.
TOP
Pensioners laud gov’t for increase, efficient service in pension payment
Georgetown, GINA, February 2, 2008
The Administration’s move to improve the welfare of the vulnerable, especially pensioners has been commended by the beneficiaries. Not only has their grant been increase, the service of payment has also improved tremendously.
Pensioners have been uplifting their increased amounts at post offices in their respective communities in a very efficient manner. Pension has been increased from $3,895 to $6,000.
Most of the pensioners who have already received their last month’s pension have also collected their arrears of $2,105.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand met pensioners at the Bourda Post Office, Regent Street on Friday as they uplifted their grants. She interacted with the elders and several of them expressed their satisfaction for the increase in their pension and the efficient service provided.
They said they are grateful for the increase which will further their development especially with food prices rising. Pensioners also commented on the quick and efficient service at various post offices.
The fast service has been evident as the pensioners were able to uplift their grants in a short space of time. Minister Manickchand said that she is happy that pensioners were satisfied with their increase and most of all the service. She noted that meetings were held with the post offices to work towards improving the services and eliminating long lines.
The pension database has now been increased to approximately 36,500 with the addition of close to 500 in January. .JPG)
Apart from an annual increase in pension, the elderly also benefit from other forms of assistance such as free spectacles, medical expenses and supplies, wheelchairs and funeral expenses.
Old age pensioners who are legal owners of properties are eligible for water rates assistance. At present, there are 35, 000 pensioners benefiting from the waiver in Georgetown and rural areas.
Meanwhile the Human Services Ministry will commence issuing public assistance shortly. This has also been increased significantly. The increase to over 50,000 pensioners and public assistance recipients will cost government about $3.3B.
TOP
|
