The Guyana Police Consumers Cooperative Society says it expects to exceed its 2006 sales turnover of $11m this year. Stabroek Business has learnt that the entity, one of the longest surviving cooperatives in Guyana, has been able to broaden the base of its patronage both among ranks of the Guyana Police Force as well as among members of the consuming public.
Secretary of the Co-operative Sgt. Neville Cadogan told Stabroek Business that while the primary responsibility of the supermarket being managed by the cooperative was to facilitate the welfare of the Guyana Police Force, the facility has also moved towards competing “both in terms of prices and quality of service” with other supermarkets around the country. Cadogan said that the high turnover experienced by the supermarket this year was due primarily to “more progressive policies” put in place by the management committee. He pointed out that the management committee, which is chaired by Acting Police Commissioner Henry Greene, had moved to ensure that the supermarket benefitted from more official police purchases associated with providing meals for ranks during special police events. He cited this year’s Rio Summit and the recently concluded Commonwealth Finance Ministers’ Meeting as two of the events that allowed the Cooperative to benefit directly from purchases made by the Guyana Police Force.
Meanwhile, Manager of the Cooperative Inspector Ramnarine Persaud told Stabroek Business that the supermarket will once again be expanding its traditional seasonal credit facility beyond members of the Cooperative to include members of the Guyana Fire Service, the Guyana Prison Service and the City Constabulary. Persaud said that he believed that the facility was “a positive and deserving Christmas gesture” towards members of the disciplined services. He explained that members of the services interested in securing the Christmas credit facility were required to secure a recommendation from a functionary at the minimum rank of senior non-commissioned officer after which the management of the supermarket will assess applications on a case by case basis. Credit ceilings will be set based on the rank of the applicant.
The facility will be available between December 3rd and 22nd and Sgt. Cadogan said that it will be extended if necessary. Credit will be extended for a three month period, beginning in February 2008 .
The Guyana Police Consumers Cooperative Society has a membership of more than 500 police ranks and officers.
Credit will be extended on a range of items including food and home furnishings.