Georgetown : The Guyana Police Force (GPF) will be intensifying its efforts to curb illegal activities at the Guyana/Venezuela border, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), among law enforcement agencies, to formalise the use of the GPF’s patrol base.
The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) document was signed by the GPF, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) and the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA).
The floating base will be located at the mouth of the Waini River, Region One, and will enable a quicker response to piracy, fuel smuggling, contraband and other related illegal activities, emanating from the Atlantic and the Waini and Barima areas.
During brief remarks at the signing which was held last evening at the Courtney Benn Contracting Services facility, Thom and Cameron Wharf, Water Street, Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee noted that the event was significant and important, in that it will solidify and bring into legal effect, the cooperation between the entities, to collaborate in the efficient management of the floating base.
The idea of such a vessel, Minister Rohee said, was first conceptualised by the GDF, whom he thanked for providing a model, under which the vessel was built for the GFS.
Minister Rohee reiterated that this vessel signifies the Home Affairs Ministry’s collaboration with other agencies, and is part and parcel of joint capacity building.
“…given the number one deposit of resources given to each agency and the need for each agency to use its resources effectively, in keeping with its mandate, it became necessary for us to collaborate, not only within the meaning of the task force, that came into existence some years ago, but to also engage in practical operation, that would advance the mandate of these various agencies,” Minister Rohee explained.
While stressing on the need for continuous capacity building, Minister Rohee noted that the agencies must take into consideration the pace at which Guyana is developing.
Fighting piracy, smuggling and contraband remains a challenge for countries which have borders of the extensive nature as Guyana. According to the minister, the location of this vessel is very strategic, since Guyana has borders not only with Venezuela and Suriname, but the Atlantic.
This floating base is the second of its kind and is an indication of the government’s commitment, to provide the resources, to ensure that law enforcement agencies have access to the necessary resources, to effectively carryout their duties.
Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Balram Persaud, noted that the GPF sees this move, as a further capitalisation of its assets.
Persaud added that because of the connecting of the Barima and Waini Rivers by the Mora Passage, the need for the floating base can be of paramount importance, in response to incidents in the Waini and the Atlantic.
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