The Guyana Prison Service yesterday received a speedboat, valued at almost $11 million, from the Ministry of Public Security to boost its emergency responses.
Director of Prisons (ag) Gladwin Samuels received the keys to the boat, which was constructed by the Guyana National Industrial Company (GNIC), during a simple handing over ceremony yesterday afternoon at the GNIC Wharf, Lombard Street, Georgetown.
The metal boat can accommodate up to 14 persons, including 12 passengers.
It cost $10,950,082, including $5.5 million for the construction of the vessel and the procurement of two 200-horsepower motors.
During his remarks, Samuels said that with the current expansion of the Mazaruni Prison, which is slated to be completed at yearend, the need for emergency response is likely to increase. “…Because the first phase of the Mazaruni Prison expansion is going to be completed before the end of the year, which will see an additional 200 prisoners going to that facility, it is only necessary that we ensure that we plan ahead and ensure that all the necessary resources are in place,” Samuels said.
He was confident that the addition of the new vessel will significantly boost the capacity and capabilities at the prison, especially as it relates to responding to emergencies.
“There are times as well when we have high profile prisoners to escort to the hospital and we would like to do so as quickly as possible. Many times we are supported by the Guyana Police Force and if necessary the military. So there is a need for us to be on par with them in terms of our river assets,” Samuels explained.
“So while this is a step in the direction as in the acquisition of the first vessel of such nature, I am confident that with the continued growth of Mazaruni Prison we will see additional river assets being added to the location,” he added.
Over the years, Samuels explained, the Guyana Prison Service has acquired a number of speedboats but they were either constructed with wood or fibre glass. “…And we would have seen rapid deterioration of those boats which resulted to us currently having only one speed boat in operation,” he said.
In late 2017, the Guyana Prison Service commissioned M.L Troy-W, a $118 million boat in honour of prison officer Troy Williams, who was killed in the line of duty during the February 23, 2002 Camp Street prison jailbreak.
Samuels said that to date, the M.L Troy-W is in a “tip top” shape and is being used to transport prisoners on transfer to Mazaruni Prison and also to deal with daily runs from the Mazaruni Prison to Bartica, such as the transportation of staff and other persons who are residing on the compound.
