The Ministry of Finance has indicated that a total of $26.4B has been expended on the Security Sector between January-June of this year.

In its half-year report, the Finance Ministry said the monies expended in the sector is to advance efforts which are consistent with Government’s commitment to ensure safety and security.

In relation to the Guyana Police Force, the Finance Ministry said some $468.3M was expended to provide continuous support for the Force’s infrastructural needs including to the Command Centres within Regions 2, 3, 5, 6 and 10 as well as Criminal Investigations Department, Special Constabulary and Tactical Service Unit Headquarters.

The Ministry’s half-year report further stated that works were also advanced on the rehabilitation and construction of living quarters at Beterverwagting, Cove and John, and Lethem as well as Police Stations at Baramita, Tuschen, Den Amstel, Vreed-en-Hoop, Mocha, Sparendaam, Rose Hall, Imbaimadai, Eteringbang Annai, Lethem, and Karasabai as well as the ICT Training Complexes in Regions 1, 4, 5 and 9. Works are expected to commence in the second half for the reconstruction of Brickdam Police Station.

In addition, the Ministry said $38.1M was expended to increase community participation in the prevention of crime intelligence countrywide. The monies were spent towards the formation of 37 new community policing groups and a further $70.4M was spent on local and regional training for ranks.

Guyana Prison Service

The Ministry said that efforts are underway to modern the Guyana Prison Service and to make it more habitable for inmates. From January- June some $333m were spent to advance infrastructural works.

“Works were advanced towards the completion of 3 cell blocks which are now operationalised at the Lusignan Prison, to address overcrowding. Further, 3 additionally cell blocks are progressing which will accommodate an additional 350 inmates. Additionally, works were also advanced on living quarters at Lusignan, Mazaruni and New Amsterdam,” the report noted.

During the first half of the year, the Finance Ministry highlighted that a total of 324 inmates received rehabilitative training at a sum of $40.7 million, in areas such as agriculture, block making, carpentry and joinery, culinary arts among others while 725 inmates are currently being trained and are scheduled to graduate in August 2023. Further, an additional 451 inmates are expected to undergo training in the second half of the year.

The Guyan Fire Service

To expand the Guyana Fire Service’s infrastructure, the report noted that

$141.9 million was expended during the first half of this year for the construction of a living quarter at New Amsterdam, a new Fire Service Headquarters in Georgetown as well as fire stations at Wales and Ogle were completed. Additionally, works were advanced on the construction of the Leonora and Diamond fire stations. Further, 148 hydrants were procured – all of which are expected to be installed by the end of 2023, the Ministry said.

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