Latest update January 20th, 2025 4:00 AM
6,000 weapons destroyed under firearm destruction programme
The 11 ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the 14 ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) who successfully completed training in the use and maintenance of both the firearm destruction hydraulic shears and small arms ammunition-burning tank have been presented with their certificates.
During a simple ceremony which was held at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Minister Clement Rohee presented the ranks with their certificate of completion.
The Commissioner of Police and Home Affairs Minister (centre) along with some of the police and army ranks who completed training in firearm destruction under a UN programme.
Rohee congratulated the ranks and thanked the United Nations (UN) for affording them the opportunity. The training was done under the auspices of the United Nations Office for Disarmament’s Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC).
Minister Rohee, Acting Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud, Lieutenant Colonel Cargill Kyte of the Guyana Defence Force, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Angela Johnson were present, along with the ranks who completed the training
“I take this opportunity to thank them and for administering the training to these competent ranks, we have benefitted greatly as the equipment has been used to destroy firearms under the watchful eye of UNLIREC.”
According to the Minister, the partnership between Guyana and the UN on the subject of stock pile management is part of the greater goal of disarmament.
“Guyana has always adopted a stance of zero tolerance towards the arms trade, a growing phenomenon globally which has links to other offences such as drug trafficking.”
Hence, the Minister said, Guyana has recognised the importance of being able to control the proliferation of weapons, ammunition and explosives as part of its goal of maintaining national security.
“We should not forget that the proliferation of the illegal arms trade has implications for the welfare of our citizens.”
Further, Rohee said that in keeping with the administration’s desire to have an effective arms control regime, Guyana has subscribed to a number of international conventions related to the arms trade, while at the same time it has been constantly seeking to upgrade legislation to make it more effective.
“It must be noted that Guyana does not take lightly its obligation under international laws and this collaboration with UNLIREC is one example of the commitment of our country to upholding these standards.”
In addition to these measures, Rohee underscored the importance of having the capability to eliminate weapons which are no longer functional, as they may end up in the wrong hands.
Meanwhile Commissioner of Police acting Seelall Persaud in his remarks said the contribution of UNLIREC in the donation of the hydraulic shears and the training provided to the ranks represent a total capacity by the Guyana Police Force to perform the operation of firearm destruction.
According to Persaud, since the implementation, the force destroyed in excess of 6000 firearms, some that were seized years ago and others that have been rendered unserviceable.
“The destruction of the firearms brings relief in two areas, one that it removes the risk associated with slippages that occur from time, and that it frees up space so that we can better utilise the stores of the Guyana Police Force.”
Further, the Acting Commissioner lauded the collaborative effort with the Government of Guyana and UNLIREC as the effort has borne fruit.
Meanwhile Lieutenant Colonel Cargill Kyte, of the GDF also thanked the Government and UN for the initiative as it has assisted in boosting the capacity of the army.
“I would like to thank the government for us being able to participate and it’s a mean of safely disposing of obsolete weapons. I would like to conclude the UNLIREC baseline assessment that highlighted the numerous positives of the GDF with regards to firearms destruction and stockpile management and shows our continuous effort to meet international best practices.”
Colonel Kyte however noted that the army still has a few areas of non compliance which can easily be resolved in the near future.
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