The brick prison being built in the compound of the Camp Street jail should be completed by the end of July, according to Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan, who yesterday said it will house approximately 325 “high-profile” prisoners.
Ramjattan responded to scores of questions during the consideration of estimates for agencies/programmes under his ministry yesterday in the Committee of Supply. The monies were later approved.
Answering questions from former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, Ramjattan informed that money has been proposed for works at various prisons and buildings connected to the Prison Service.
He said that phase four of the brick prison at Camp Street will cost $52 million. In October last year, Ramjattan had said that after the transfer of prisoners to the brick structure, rehabilitation works valued at approximately $150 million will commence on the older structure, with alternate plans for relocation in the long term.
He also mentioned yesterday some $33 million budgeted for works on the male prison block at the New Amsterdam Prisons.
In response to a question, Ramjattan said that the approximate cost to feed a prisoner is $485,000 per year, while $350 million has been allocated for feeding prisoners in the 2016 budget. Given this hefty bill, Rohee inquired whether there is any movement towards the self-sufficiency of the Prison Ser-vice. Ramjattan answered in the affirmative and added that earlier he had spoken about putting money into agriculture. This, he said, will go towards making the service self-sufficient.
“In any event, we have to ensure that the prisoners are taken care of and we will do our best there and also in the meantime try to get the agriculture and livestock section… [to] do some self-sufficiency,” Ramjattan said.
Ramjattan also informed under questioning that the Guyana Forensic Labora-tory had a staff strength of 19 and all the required positions are filled. He was not asked for list of those positions.
Asked if there is a business plan for the lab, Ramjattan responded in the negative.
Ramjattan said that $47.8 million has been allocated for the purchase arms and ammunition. The total sum of $235 million has been allocated for the purchase of equipment, arms and ammunition for the Guyana Police Force.
Asked why no money was allocated for the purchase of an aircraft to help with interior patrolling, Ramjattan responded “as soon as we can afford it.”
This year’s budget also caters for rehabilitation works to a number of stations, including the Central Police Station at New Amsterdam at a cost of $60 million and $20 million for the Brickdam Police Station lock-ups.
Ramjattan said too that a floating base will be built at the mouth of the Waini River.
Despite earlier disclosures that $40 million has been budgeted under the Ministry of Presidency for the heavily criticised Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), the National Assembly heard yesterday that one person working with the unit would be paid through the Guyana Police Force.
Ramjattan identified this person as a financial investigator, whom he said was appointed by the former minister of home affairs (Rohee) and who is to be paid $425,000 per month. This person is listed as a contract worker.
Rohee rose to object to his name being linked to the employment of the worker but was stopped by the Speaker, who noted that he had asked a question and was given an answer. He made it clear to Rohee that he would not allow him to make a statement when only questions are to be asked.
“Mr Speaker, this is inaccuracy. It is an inaccuracy, I am telling you about,” Rohee said, clearly upset. The Speaker then informed Rohee that he was aware of the course of action he can take to address the matter and he should use it. Rohee, clearly not satisfied, attempted to raise the issue yet again and Ramjattan, in a bid to move on, then told the House that he would withdraw the statement.
With regard to the Guyana Fire Service $22.3 million has been allocated for the maintenance of fire stations and buildings countrywide.
With regard to the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), Ramjattan revealed that there is an increase in monies for the facilitation of operational exercises and for special intelligence operations and the “payment of confidential sources.”
