ECD gets rehabilitated Police Stations at Sparendaam, Mahaica

– as new Ogle Fire Station opens

As part of a broader modernisation agenda for the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the rehabilitated Sparendaam and Mahaica Police Stations, along with a newly-completed Police Living Quarters at Cove and John, were declared open in Regional Police Division 4C (East Coast Demerara – ECD) by Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn.
He was joined by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Andre Ally; Deputy Commissioner (Operations) Errol Watts; Regional Commander, Assistant Commissioner Khali Pareshram and Regional Chairman Daniel Seeram, among others.

In his feature address, Minister Benn reiterated the Government’s strategic focus, not only on strengthening the physical infrastructure of the Force, but also on reshaping the ethos of policing in Guyana.
The Home Affairs Minister emphasised the Government’s unwavering resolve to deliver real, lasting improvements.
“More than ever, with the resources that are available, we can make Guyana a shining example, not simply for the Caribbean, but for the world,” he said.
Benn also reaffirmed the Administration’s commitment to accountability, stressing that, “We keep our promises. And any promise we make now, in terms of our manifesto and in terms of elevating our people, we will keep… This building is not simply about us. The building is owned by the people. It must be used to bring better security to our people.”
In addition to the ranks, during Thursday’s commissioning of the newly-redone Mahaica station, helmets were also handed over to several motorists under the Ministry’s “Do the Right Thing” road safety campaign.

24% reduction in serious crimes
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Watts reminded the ranks of their legal and moral duty to serve the public with integrity and accountability.
“As members of the Force, we have to do what we are charged to do by law: serve and protect, and respond proactively to reports in the most intelligent way possible,” Watts posited.
He further urged officers to model the values they wish to promote in society, “We must be the example. We must set the example that we want to see in society.”
Regional Commander Pareshram welcomed the transformation of the stations and the boost it would provide to policing capacity in the division.
He noted that specialised offices for handling gender-based violence, juvenile matters, and other sensitive cases in confidential, child-friendly, and welcoming environments would significantly improve public confidence and engagement.
Commander Pareshram also reported measurable improvements resulting from strategic initiatives, revealing “our focus on community-oriented and intelligence-led policing has resulted in a 24 per cent reduction in serious crimes”.
The Sparendaam Police Station, reconstructed at a cost of over $112 million, is now outfitted with modern policing amenities designed to support efficient and professional law enforcement. Like its counterparts across the country, the station includes male lock-ups, a witness and ID parade room, an armoury, an evidence room, a child-friendly space, and a domestic violence interview and waiting area. It also houses offices for Enquiries, the Officer-in-Charge (OC), the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the Traffic Department, and upgraded senior and junior living quarters for ranks.
Meanwhile, the Mahaica Police Station was completed at a cost of over $143 million. This state-of-the-art facility enhances regional security and is equipped with male, female, and juvenile lock-ups; a ZARA Computer School; an ID parade room; an armoury; an evidence room; child-friendly and domestic violence interview areas; and dedicated offices for the OC, and CID and Traffic divisions. Living quarters have also been significantly upgraded to improve the quality of life for officers stationed there.
At Cove and John, the newly-completed Police Living Quarters, valued at $23 million, was also officially opened. Constructed to support the welfare of law enforcement personnel, the quarters include three bedrooms, a kitchen, a laundry area, and a general living space, ensuring officers are accommodated in conditions conducive to readiness and professionalism.

New fire station
Also on Thursday, Minister Benn joined Chief Fire Officer Gregory Wickham to commission the newly constructed Ogle Fire Station, which will enhance both community and aviation emergency response along the ECD corridor.
Constructed at a cost of over $128 million by Singh and Sons Construction, the new fire station is located within the Eugene F Correia International Airport compound at Ogle. The facility is purpose-built to provide rapid and efficient responses to both aviation-related incidents and surrounding community emergencies. Its location within the airport ensures faster deployment, boosting operational readiness in a high-traffic zone.
The commissioning of the Ogle Fire Station marks a significant milestone. Strategically located at one of the country’s key domestic aviation hubs, the new facility not only reinforces airport safety, but also enhances fire and rescue response capabilities along the East Coast of Demerara.
Crucially, the facility is fully compliant with international standards, aligning with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) requirements outlined in Annex 14 – Aerodromes and ICAO Doc 9137: Airport Services Manual. This compliance guarantees that the station meets globally-accepted best practices for aerodrome rescue and firefighting services.
Designed for 24/7 operations, the Ogle Fire Station features a dedicated appliance bay, administrative offices for station management, living quarters for senior and junior ranks, an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) office and storage area, a waiting room, gym, and laundry facilities. These provisions ensure that the station is well-equipped to meet operational demands while supporting the welfare of its personnel.
Since its establishment in 1957 with only two fire stations, in Georgetown and New Amsterdam, the Guyana Fire Service has expanded significantly over the years, now boasting 22 completed stations, with several others under construction across the country, including auxiliary units serving interior regions.