Phillips promises to help improve security

It’s not a bird, it’s not a plane, but it’s the “super” of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) retired Brigadier, Marks Philips, the prime ministerial candidate of the party, who has promised to improve and equip the armed forces, if the PPP/C is elected at the upcoming elections in March.

Amidst loud cheers from PPP/C supporters at Albion, Phillips added to the excitement by saying: “they used to call me super in the GDF… that was my war name so I’m taking back my war name- I am the super of the PPP/C.”

With over 36 years of experience in the public service, specifically in the field of defence and security in Guyana, Phillips, who is the former army Chief-of -Staff, said he is ready to utilise that experience to make Guyana a better place.

“We will implement our anti-crime and security measures to again make your community safer…the crime levels remain high and our police capacity is low throughout Guyana…there are too many armed and violent robberies toward businesses and individuals in both the urban and rural communities in Guyana,” he said, during his address to the PPP/C supporters at Albion, on Sunday.

Phillips’ remarks about crime, however, contradicted what was said by Acting Crime Chief, Michael Kingston who had said serious crimes decreased by 2.5 per cent in 2019 compared to 2018. He also said there was a decrease in robberies and more persons were charged for ganja smuggling.

The retired brigadier, nevertheless, said he will address the existing shortfalls in the security sector by equipping and improving the operational readiness of the Guyana Police Force.

He told the crowd of PPP/C supporters: “we will also work to improve the effectiveness of your community policing groups…we will address the conditions of work, welfare and quality of life and issues affecting members of the police force.”

His view is that the joint services were allocated increasing sums of money every year when the PPP/C was in government. He said a lot was invested into the improvement of infrastructural development and to acquire new equipment.

Phillips also promised that if the PPP/C is elected, they will look at returning the payment of bonus to the joint services and even review the pay and allowances for the members of the armed forces.

Speaking specifically about Berbice, he said “Berbicians” deserve to enjoy a peaceful night’s rest and enjoy the fruits of their labour. In expressing his commitment to tackling crime in Berbice, Phillips said: “you are assured a friend in me… the criminal situation is out of control and the PPP/C has heard your cries for safety… again, the PPP/C will equip the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Prison Service and the Guyana Fire Service to do their jobs better.”

He believes that crime will also decrease if more young people are given opportunities to become skilled workers and gain meaningful employment opportunities here.

In 2017, Guyana had signed a US$14M agreement with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) for a Skills Development and Employability Project aimed at enhancing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) here. Guyana will continue to work together with the CDB to enhance the country’s development in this area and according to Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, the signing of the agreement with the CDB demonstrated government’s commitment to enhancing the skills of its people. The US$14M project was scheduled to begin on June 30, 2017 and conclude on December 31, 2021 and is geared at assisting the government to enhance access to, and improve the quality and effectiveness of the TVET system.