The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) yesterday received three vehicles, a mini bus and two 4x4s valued $16.8M from the Ministry of Home Affairs, according to the Government Information agency.
Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee presented the keys to the vehicles to Head of CANU James Singh, at the Ministry of Home Affairs on Brickdam.
Rohee at the handing over ceremony said now that CANU is under the Ministry of Home Affairs, and not the Ministry of Finance, it allows the Ministry to acquire assets to improve its capacity.
“It is the only organisation in Guyana that is outfitted to carry out certain functions within the meaning of the Custom’s Act…I feel very optimistic that now that we have started to roll out this capacity building programme, particularly because of its usable assets in terms of its mobility so that its ranks can move more freely and won’t have to depend on the old ways in which they work,” said Minister Rohee.
He added that the Ministry hopes to see more interdictions on the part of CANU, and soon there will be greater capacity building in terms of human resources for the unit.
“We will obviously have to employ more and more persons within the ranks of CANU, and I’m optimistic about the future of this organisation which has a very important role to play in terms of fighting drugs,” he stated.
CANU’s head thanked the Ministry for the provision of the vehicles because he felt they were needed in the unit, and that they will take officers around the country to carry out their functions.
