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4TH AUGUST 2006
MEDIA RELEASE
PRIVATE SECTOR COMMISSION MEETS WITH COMMISSIONER OF POLICE

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) and representatives of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce met on 2nd August with Commissioner of Police (ag), Henry Greene, to discuss and be briefed on the current situation with regard to the maintenance of law and order and, in particular, the preparations of the Police Force for the forthcoming elections.

Present at the meeting representing the Police Force were Commissioner (ag), Henry Greene, Deputy Commissioner, Sydney Bunbury, Asst. Commissioner, Paul Slowe and Asst. Commissioner Heeralall Makhanlall.

Chairman of the PSC, Mr. Yesu Persaud, was accompanied by Vice Chairman, Mr. Michael Correia, Executive Director, Mr. Bal Parsaud, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Gerry Gouveia, Mr. George Robinson, President, Guyana Manufacturers Association, Ms. Anna Lisa Fraser-Phang, Mr. Frank De Abreau, Mr. Rajendra Persaud, Mr. Avalon Jagnandan and Mr. Kit Nascimento.

The Commissioner of Police welcomed the PSC and Chamber representatives and recognized the important and vital role of the Private Sector in the development of the country and promised his continuing cooperation with the business community.

The Commissioner fully acknowledged the concerns which were expressed by the Private Sector for the maintenance of law and order, the effective control of organized crime and elimination of armed gangs, the protection of citizens, the protection of private investment and property and that adequate preparations had been made for the provision of national security for the period of the elections.

The Commissioner informed the PSC that the Police had been engaged in extensive planning and preparation for the elections in collaboration with GECOM and that while he looked forward to the elections being conducted peacefully, the security forces were confident of their ability to maintain the law and deal effectively with any situation that might threaten the safety of citizens and the security of the country. The Commissioner noted that joint operations of the security forces would continue during and following the period of the elections.

The Commissioner emphasized that a police presence would be maintained at every polling place and that police Tactical Service Units would be deployed at security sensitive areas across the country. The Commissioner said that public demonstrations which might lead to public disorder in established business areas across the country would not be allowed.

The Commissioner shared with the Private Sector his concern that the maintenance of public order and the conducting of a peaceful election is also a responsibility of the political parties contesting the elections and gave the PSC his assurance that the law preventing inflammatory speeches and public incitement to any form of violence would be firmly and fairly enforced.

In response to the concern of the Private Sector that the emergency 911 system continues to be ineffective, the Commissioner disclosed that discussions had been taking place with GT&T for the installation of a modern system to facilitate a prompt response.

The Commissioner agreed to holding monthly scheduled meetings with the PSC and undertook to work closely with the business sector to raise the level of security consciousness of companies and their employees. The Commissioner also emphasized the need for licensed firearm holders to avail themselves of regular training and practice in the use of their weapons.