British High Commissioner confident of success of new Security Sector Reform Plan

On Tuesday, British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn expressed confidence in the project to determine a final plan and noted that everyone appears keen on ensuring that the action plan does not become a word document that sits on a shelf.

British High Commissioner confident of success of new Security Sector Reform Plan

Security and defense and a reform programme for the security sector are just two components under the Security Sector Reform Action Plan (SSRAP), that Senior British Security Sector Reform Advisor, Mr. Russell Combe, will look at during his 12 month tenure here in Guyana.

On Tuesday, British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn expressed confidence in the project to determine a final plan and noted that everyone appears keen on ensuring that the action plan does not become a word document that sits on a shelf.

“We are hoping that what Russell actually does, is to start delivering and that there is potential changes to make the security sector more efficient and more effective”, the High Commissioner said.

There was an original Security Sector Reform Plan 2006-2007, but that plan was cancelled under the previous government over several disagreements.

The British Senior Security Sector Reform Advisor who will also act as a focal point for the international donor community is expected to provide an updated version of the previous plan which was being funded by the United Kingdom through its Department For International Development (DFID). 

According to the British High Commissioner, Mr. Combe is expected to travel to interior locations and hold talks with citizens about their security concerns and needs.

He will be expected to produce the report at the end of his one year placement in Guyana.

Since arriving in Guyana, Mr. Combe has held meetings with the Prime Minister and the Minister of State.

He will be working out of the Ministry of the Presidency and  will be engaging the Police,  the Guyana Defence Force, the Ministry of Legal Affairs and the Guyana Prison Service. 

President David Granger had stated that with the implementation of the SSRAP, Guyana’s security sector will be significantly strengthened.

The security plan will also examine the need for increased security in Guyana’s bordering regions.

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