…“We are not going to let efforts to destabilise us lead us into panic” – UG VC
Following two consecutive days of bombing threats at the nation’s tertiary educational institution, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Ivelaw Griffith on Monday assured that the institution will not allow efforts made to destabilise the University lead them into panic.
In fact, Griffith informed the media that improved security measures are being put in place at the educational facility.
Griffith was at the time speaking at a news conference hosted at the University’s Turkeyen Campus.
“We are not going to let efforts to destabilise us lead us into panic. We are going to
Vice Chancellor and Principal of UG, Professor Ivelaw Griffith
be steadfast and methodical, mindful of what our responsibilities to our students and our staff and the community (are) and we know that some of what we are introducing may cause some discomfort. We will just have to manage that discomfort but we are not gonna be destabilised,” he said.
Among the added security measures, the VC said that all persons and vehicles entering the campus will now require some form of identification, beginning on Wednesday.
According to the Vice Chancellor, from tomorrow the new protocol will be conducted for a two-week span, which will be trailed by an evaluation to trigger modifications if necessary.
He admitted that the University’s approach to use and display identification (ID) badges is very lacklustre among both students and staffers and this is one area which will require immediate change.
Come Wednesday persons will not be allowed to enter the campus without their ID badges. If any student or staffer does not have their badge in their possession, they will be required to present some other form of identification before they are allowed entrance.
Additionally, all vehicles entering will be checked for the University’s sticker. “We are going to be taking a stronger approach ensuring that vehicles that don’t have a UG sticker have a way of identifying at least who the driver and passengers in those vehicles are,” Griffith posited.
The Vice Chancellor added that a significant amount of traffic uses the south gate, again with very little identification checks being conducted.
He said the University will be restricting access through the south gate unless an identification badge or sticker is provided.
When it comes to the minibuses and taxis dropping students off, the VC noted that the existing protocol will be maintained with a few variations. He explained that those minibuses with UG stickers will be allowed to enter the compound to drop off passengers at the security checkpoint and proceed to the Education Lecture Theatre (ELT) building to turn around.
Additionally, random vehicle and other searches are expected to be conducted.
According to the VC, he is aware that bag checks would be appropriate at this time, however, the University is not equipped with the manpower to conduct it. He, however, noted that the University is seeking to implement an electronic verification program for students using their badges in the future.
In relation to the students who were affected and missed classes, he assured that the University will make up for that.
Investigations
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner, Linden Alves, made it clear that the GPF, although it has never dealt with such bomb threats before, is well prepared and ready to pursue such cases.
“The Guyana Police Force is adequately equipped and ready to deal with situations of the present nature,” he said.
The Deputy Commissioner told members of the press that someone was taken into custody and charged for improper use of the public telecommunications system while contravening Section 33 1 (B) of the Telecommunication Act under Chapter 4702.
“Based on statements that we have obtained so far that is what is taking us further and we will go as far as we practically can deal with this issue…There are other persons that they are looking at…” the Deputy Commissioner said.
Alves clarified that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is not working in isolation on this case and is, in fact, seeking the aid of regional and international expertise.
Last week the University was evacuated, which led to classes being suspended because of two consecutive days of bombing threats to the institution.
