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Businesses uneasy about attacks on miners…Former private sector chief calls for separate Defence Ministry
Businesses are getting nervous over the crime situation and one senior private sector executive is now calling for government to consider establishing a Ministry of Defence that will deal with the problem in a holistic manner.
Captain Gerry Gouveia
According to Captain Gerry Gouveia, a former Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), who now heads up the Governance and Security Committee, there has been a perceptible number of attacks and crimes committed against miners. These have even been taken to their homes, with a number of them losing their lives.
The committee, which includes representatives from the government and other stakeholders, will now be examining this current crime issue with the intention of making recommendations to the administration for implementation.
Gouveia, who served in the army for years, made it clear that the time may be right for government to consider establishing a separate Ministry of Defence.
“This Ministry is separate from the President. He is the Commander-in-Chief. What you need is a Minister who has a daily handle on the situation, who can report back and advocate and make the decisions.”
The businessman, who also has interests in the aviation, tourism and hotel sectors, made reference to the entire security reform programme recently announced by government.
The private sector was not consulted and the disapproval of this development has since been conveyed to Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee.
According to Gouveia, when the British-funded security sector reform was initiated, the experts came and consulted with the private sector. However, Guyana lost that programme and the four million pounds that went along with it.
However, a new security programme introduced by government did not see any consultations with government.
“This new reform programme augurs well for Guyana. Yes, we are disappointed we were not consulted. I have made that clear to Minister Rohee, but we also find that there is not a lot to disagree with.”
The businessman also made mention of a CARICOM’s study of the public’s confidence of crime in Trinidad, Jamaica and Guyana. Guyana fared the worst. “This is a problem that needs to be addressed. But any reform of the security sector will have to address training, conduct, performance, recruitment. It should also address what is being delivered to the people…the service.”
Gouveia made reference to a number of incidents which swayed the public’s perception of the police.
One of the “crazy” ideas, as he puts it, is placing police ranks in the city with “machine guns”. Another embarrassment is the shaking down by “black clothes” police of motorists, instead of concentrating on crime.
“We have to root these out. We have police on motorcycles with guns going after drivers. It is an embarrassment to the government.”
Gouveia has a few recommendations.
Any reforms geared to help improve the fight against crime must see the police being in a position to access quick air response.
“Ironically, back in the ‘60s the police force had its own air wing. This was later handed to the army. We need any domestic crime-fighting reform to now include this. It is also important for tools and training. And the question of why… Our people must understand why they are doing what they are doing.”
He added that one of the areas that can also be looked at is retraining and repositioning of the army to assist more in the domestic crime situation.
“The army is not trained in this area. Our biggest threats are not Venezuela or Suriname. It is here. Drugs and gun-smuggling and crime. Let us use the resources we have… that is what I am saying.”
The businessman stressed that Guyana’s strength to deal with outside threats will have to rely more using its diplomatic corps. “The bulk of our defence will be in the diplomatic corps.” (Leonard Gildarie)
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