What has become of the $20.8 million water cannon? More than two years after it was bought it remains parked at the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) drill square, Eve Leary even as questions are raised about its usefulness.
Contacted, Police Com-missioner (ag) Leroy Brumell said that the piece of equipment was in working order and is occasionally driven around. “We carry it out with the fire service,” he said explaining that every Wed-nesday it is taken to the National Park where it is used in “drills” with firemen.
Meanwhile, a police source with knowledge about the water cannon was adamant that it is not operational and that its acquisition was a waste of money. The source pointed out that it is always parked on the drill square. “It don’t work and I can’t understand why they buy it. It would be best they open a car wash and use it there,” the source said noting that the water cannon is of no value.
Soon after it was purchased, this newspaper had been informed that it had developed a mechanical problem and was out of operation for sometime before the defective part was replaced.
The source questioned why the water cannon was purchased if it was a second-hand piece of equipment. It was noted that it was taken to Linden for the unrest but achieved nothing and it was the same situation when the Agricola protest occurred. To get it to the mining town, this newspaper had been told, it had to be transported on a truck.
According to the source, a water cannon is supposed to discharge a powerful force of water that would displace protesters standing in front of it. The one that the police has cannot do that, the source said adding that the $20.8 million would have been better spent on the acquisition of more shields and rubber bullets to deal with crowd control.
The source said that prior to its purchase, members of the force received training from the British and as a result of that training a large number of transparent shields were acquired. The source questioned why those shields were not taken to Linden to be used to deal with the protesting residents. The source said that had the police utilised those pieces of equipment then there probably would have been no need to fire at the protestors. It was pointed out that it was seemingly under pressure after the Linden shooting that the police top brass ensured that the shields were used during the subsequent protest action on the Agricola public road.
No need
According to the source, Guyana does not have a high degree of public disorder which would see the need for a water cannon.
Asked why it would be bought if it had no real purpose to fulfil, the source expressed belief that there was corruption involved while expressing doubt that what was eventually purchase was worth $20.8 million. This was the figure Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee had given to the National Assembly.
It was noted that when one goes to make any purchase, the first thing to do is to inspect and test the product to ensure that it is of a satisfactory quality and that money’s worth would be achieved.
Rohee had told the National Assembly last July that the Chinese water cannon was bought to minimise the use of lethal force and limit injuries and loss of lives.
This was among the explanations contained in written responses to questions posed by former police commissioner Winston Felix who is APNU’s shadow Home Affairs Minister.
“The water cannon would be deployed by the police as it sees fit as part of its evolving strategic posture and in keeping with the current institutional modernisation process of the force and in compliance with the United Nations and other internationally accepted standards where non-lethal force should be used by the police …,” Rohee had said.
He said too that ten persons had been trained in its use.
The water cannon was purchased by the Guyana Government from China in 2010 and delivered in 2011. Initially $37 million was budgeted for its purchase.
Rohee had told the National Assembly that it was in working order and located at the Drill Square.
In a bid to quell the growing criticisms about its ability, the water canon was placed on its first public demonstration in June, 2012. During the exercise which was held in the National Park, police recruits played the part of disorderly protestors. After a few missed firings, the force of the water hit the recruits and some were swept off their feet.
