Granger instructs GDF to brief MPs on border security

The Parliamentary Oversight Committee on the Security Sector will soon be briefed on preparations being made to secure Guyana’s border with Venezuela.

In an interview released by the Ministry of the Presidency, President David Granger said during a meeting with the Defence board on February 22, 2018, he instructed the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to hold a meeting with the parliamentarians.

The Head of State said, “I expect that there be full participation, both by members of the Government side and the opposition side. If necessary, we’ll take the civil society and I’ve already briefed the Chief of Staff of the GDF that civil society must be aware of what is taking place.”

The Oversight Committee on the Security Sector is chaired by the Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan and includes Ministers Basil Williams, Noel Holder, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, and opposition members, Clement Rohee, Joseph Hamilton, Dr. BheriRamsarran and Harry Gill.

The President said that the concerns relating to the country’s border is the main reason for his absence from the 29th Inter-sessional Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government in Haiti.

The President also sought to dispel fears of citizens who are concerned about their safety.

“The Government is engaged fully all along our borders, at all three levels, we’re delivering services and the two major security forces, the defence force and the police force itself are involved in patrolling and ensuring the population that any crime committed against them is going to be investigated and punished,” he said.

The situation in Venezuela the President said, is also being monitored by other countries surrounding the Spanish speaking republic.

He disclosed that there has been a surge in Guyanese returning from that country.

Recently, the GDF implemented 24-hour security in the village of Kaikan, located in the Region seven and set up a new patrol base in the community of Whitewater, Region One. The military presence is intended to neutralise any illegal activity and ensure maximum security.