Over $280M invested to improve GPF infrastructure in Regions 2 & 3

As the Government of Guyana continues to fulfil its mandate to modernise the Guyana Police Force (GPF), two new Police stations and two Police outposts were commissioned on Sunday.
The Police stations commissioned were at Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), and Anna Regina in Region Two while the outposts were at Lima Sands and Onderneeming Sand Pit, Essequibo Coast.

Parika Police Station was the first to be commissioned by Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn along with acting Police Commissioner, Clifton Hicken. This facility was remodelled at a sum of $60 million. It was designed to be public-friendly and will house a domestic violence room, juvenile-friendly holding area, child-friendly area, witness protection room, a case management room, a case management system, an integrated crime information system, and offices.
The second spanking new multipurpose building was commissioned at the Anna Region Police Station. This facility was constructed to the tune of $215.1 million and will serve as the Regional Division Number Two Headquarters.

It also houses several departments and facilities including a domestic violence room, juvenile-friendly holding area, child-friendly area, witness protection room, a case management room, a case management system, an integrated crime information system, and a listening room. The Traffic Department and the Criminal Investigations Department will also be in the building.
Additionally, it houses the Anna Regina Immigration Service which provides decentralised immigration services to residents of Regions One and Two.
With its modern exterior and interior design, the state-of-the-art holding facility will present a more public-friendly setting while providing a befitting working environment which will tremendously aid in boosting the security capabilities of the GPF to efficiently and effectively combat crime.

Minister Robeson at the event stated that the building serves to provide service and protection to the citizens since the ranks will be better able to serve them in the new, spacious, modern, and comfortable facility.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs is working with programmes and related projects for enhancing significantly the building, infrastructure, the capital asset of the Guyana Police Force,” the Minister added.
Meanwhile, with an unwavering commitment to providing safer, more secure communities, two Police outposts were also commissioned and handed over to the communities of Lima Sands and Onderneeming Sand Pit.
At Lima Sands, the building was designed and installed at a cost of $4.5 million. The increased Police presence will enable effective policing in the community and its environs. Residents will now be able to go about their daily activities without hindrance, according to the Home Affairs Ministry.

The cost to construct the Onderneeming Police Outpost was not released.
These projects are part of a $3 billion Citizen Security Strengthening Programme which is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). To date, 12 Police stations were completed and seven are under construction.
The completed Police stations include Port Kaituma and Mabaruma in Region One; Aurora and Suddie in Region Two; La Grange and Parika in Region Three; Cane Grove in Region Four; Albion, Whim and Mibicuri in Region Six; Issano in Region Seven; Annai and Aishalton in Region Nine and McKenzie, Wismar and Kwakwani in Region 10.