Presidential Candidate for A Partnership for National Unity, (APNU), Aubrey Norton, today laid out his party’s case to the Disciplined Services as they prepare to vote on the 22nd August, nine days ahead of the September 1 elections.
At a press conference today, Mr. Norton promised increased pay, better working and living conditions, bonuses and other inducements for the members of the Disciplined Services.
“We have listened to the concerns and demands of our Soldiers and Police, we understand their plight and problems and as the next government the APNU coalition will respond by increasing their salary by up to 35% with yearly bonuses, paying out a yearly cash transfer of $100,000 beginning in our first year, increasing the minimum wage and starting salary to at least $200,000 a month,” Mr. Norton noted.
In addition, Norton said soldiers will enjoy other benefits such as rent to own housing, water and electricity subsidy and child allowances. He said the APNU will also ensure promotion and training scholarships are based on merit.
He said an expert commission will also be established to review the conditions of service and to make recommendations of the living conditions of camps and compounds of officers stationed at the various stations.
“For our soldiers especially, we will provide better barrack conditions, especially those in the infantry units and those serving at border locations. We will better equip the army with better equipment and armaments, especially for those units protecting our border and ensuring national security,” the APNU Presidential candidate said.
He said there is also a need to upgrade the technical skills of soldiers in areas such as computer technology, construction and agriculture. For policemen and women, he said his party will ensure all appointments are made without the violation of the constitution.
Mr. Norton believes that there needs to be a massive overhaul of the Guyana Police Force for example, who he says works in the interest of the government and not Guyanese.
“The Police Force is a stooge of the PPP/C and is misused by this regime and we are talking about the leadership of the police because we know there are good people in the police force, we know that in large measures the police supports the APNU and will continue to do so, but there are finding themselves in a difficult position, because the PPP is afraid of losing and they are using every trick in the book to ensure they control and dominate, all I am saying to the police a few days left, Vote APNU and you will be free,” Norton said.
Mr. Norton also promised to replace the Commissioner of Police with someone who commands the respect of the entire Police Force.
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