Benn, Ramjattan clash over gun amnesty, corruption, security matters

– Benn rejects calls for consensus to tackle crime, corruption

The Opposition has called on the Government to organize a consensus to resolve matters related to public security and the construction sector, but this has been rejected by Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn on day two of the 2024 Budget Debates.
The call was issued by Opposition Parliamentarian Khemraj Ramjattan, former Minister of Public Security, who argued that a consensus is needed to address various issues, such as organising firearm amnesty campaigns, “rather than advising citizens to toss their guns into Police stations in black bags”.
Further, Ramjattan noted that the $90.6 billion allocated in the 2024 National Budget for the security sector, more specifically the $30.3 billion for the Guyana Police Force (GPF), is sufficient, and can accommodate such a programme. In this regard, he implored the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government to keep in mind that a firearm amnesty campaign coincides with their goal to reduce crime.
Ramjattan reminded that the APNU+AFC gun amnesty strategy saw approximately 186 weapons being taken off the streets during its term in office.
In response, Minister Benn reiterated that the PPP/C administration is not interested in paying citizens to hand over illegal firearms, but rather hinted that fines would be increased.
Referencing the murder of 20-year-old Shonnette Dover, who was shot and buried in a shallow grave back in 2021, Benn explained that the firearm used in that gruesome act is yet to be located, and in cases like this one, a firearm amnesty campaign can hinder criminal investigations.
“If you have an illegal firearm, we will find you, and we will increase fines in relation to that… We believe (that) if you have a firearm, (you should) turn it in; don’t set us up for us to pay for you to get money in relation to handing in a firearm; and then we don’t know necessary the lineage, what was done with it,” Minister Benn explained.
Meanwhile, Ramjattan also issued a call for the Government to stop stalling infrastructure projects and retract contracts from construction companies which fail to complete projects during the specified deadline outlined in various agreements.
Additionally, the Opposition Parliamentarian has alleged that, under the watchful eyes of the PPP/C administration, construction companies are not paying taxes, and are benefitting while citizens are “struggling”. He predicted that if this continues, budget 2024, Guyana’s largest fiscal package, would result in a “resource curse”.
“Some of the projects being stalled, there is absolutely no disciplining of those contractors, even giving more addition in fear that there is indeed a bias for that class. You have to start taking away the contracts…we had wanted the oil money to be harnessed in such a way that everybody will share the pie, but no, we have an exclusive set of people dealing with it. It is not going to help this country…it is going to be an extraordinarily difficult year, in my opinion, based on this budget,” the Opposition Parliamentarian added.
However, on behalf of the Government, Benn debunked the allegations made by Ramjattan, and noted that this year’s budget was crafted for all by a caring Government.
“Increasing the peace in Guyana? We cannot increase the peace with that group, because they are not a reliable partner, they don’t understand or want to understand constitutional democracy… One day, the complete record of the disgrace that the APNU/AFC have got this country and its constitution to will be written,” The Home Affairs Minister stated.

Budget 2024
Guyana’s security sector this year received a budgetary allocation of $90.6 billion to aid in its rapid transformation with a major focus on training and the mobilization of persons within the Disciplined Services.
A total of $152.1 million has been set aside to further expand Community Policing Groups countrywide and to decentralize crime-fighting capabilities, while $2billion has been earmarked to advance and expand the use of integrated systems that are designed to enhance surveillance and deter potential criminal activities. These activities will work hand-in-hand with efforts to ensure ranks within the Disciplined Services undergo local and regional training. The sum of $250 million has been budgeted for the training of Police ranks, and $140.2 million has been budgeted for 450 prison officers to undergo training in prison management.
Further, to improve the existing fleet and to aid in the Force’s crime-fighting capabilities, $1 billion has been provided for the Guyana Police Force to expand its land and water fleet with the purchase of additional vehicles, boats, and engines.

Firearm
In 2023, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) recorded a 17 per cent decrease in serious crimes. However, an increase was recorded in murders, with a more-than 60 per cent clear-up rate for the year.
But despite this, incidents of murder and gun-related crime have been on the increase. A total of 149 illegal firearms has taken off the streets, placing the issue among one of the challenges for last year.
Subject Minister Robeson noted that investigations revealed that illegal firearms are being imported from several countries, including the United States of America. Benn reiterated that Guyana is thoroughly against the possession of illegal firearms, which are linked to drug and criminal activities. In this regard, he disclosed that the Force would be utilising a substantial amount of its 2024 budgetary provision to aid in its crime-fighting capabilities, which include the procurement of additional vehicles, boats, engines and body cameras, and administering breathalyzer tests.