$50M approved to improve DNA testing, crime-fighting

A $50.5 million supplementary sum was approved by the Parliamentary Committee of Supply on Monday, paving the way for the government to better analyse DNA samples in Guyana and improve crime-fighting efforts.

Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn told the National Assembly that Guyana’s ability to conduct DNA testing has been deficient over the years.

“If there was fresh blood or fresh samples, you would get some result which may be 75 to 80 per cent accuracy.

“That was a problem and (existing equipment) could not run degraded blood or bone samples,” he lamented.

Because of these challenges, he said Guyana has been forced to sample genetic samples abroad for testing. But that is both costly and time-consuming, the minister said further.

Now, the government is procuring a DNA workflow system that will allow the country to engage in much-needed DNA testing.

Within five months, Minister Benn believes that the backlog in cases that require DNA testing will be resolved.

After this $50 million sum was approved by the committee, all of the $2.9 billion supplementary funding sought for the period 2022-08-15 to 2022-11-29 were approved by the National Assembly.

Other funds requested under this sum include $1.7 billion to subsidise electricity costs for Lindeners, $54.1 million for Amerindian events, $740 million for much-needed drainage works and $360 million to offset the cost of validating Guyana’s new forest payment venture.

Members of the National Assembly are considering additional requests for supplementary funding on Monday.

Overall, the government is seeking parliamentary approval for $47 billion in supplementary funding to offset the costs it incurred by agreeing to absorb the increase in electricity rates and other much-needed works such as the completion of roads and bridges.