Crime affects everyone’s quality of life and takes a toll on businesses. In order to reduce crime and provide safety for all Guyanese, the PPP/C will:
● Provide more equipment, facilities and training for law enforcement personnel.
● Improve investigative and forensic capabilities.
● Expand the use of modern technology and intelligence in the fight against crime including cybercrimes.
● Expand intelligence gathering and processing capability of law enforcement agencies and promote intelligence-led policing.
● Ensure greater accountability by the Police for solving crime including a crime observatory.
● Provide better remuneration and conditions of service for personnel in the security forces.
● Decentralize crime-fighting resources and capabilities across Guyana.
● Enhance security capabilities in the hinterland in support of mining, forestry and Amerindian villages.
● Strengthen the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).
● Enhance the capabilities of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU)
. ● Increase international cooperation in the fight against the smuggling of narcotics.
● Provide increased budgetary allocation for the Office of the DPP
. ● Expand training for Prosecutors to promote a higher rate of conviction for serious crimes.
● Implement new initiatives for greater road safety.
● Foster greater collaboration with the private security sector in certification and training.
● Reinstate the joint services bonus.
● Equip the army to enhance maritime and border security.
● Reform of the prison system to include compulsory training/education for prisoners, security and safety of prison officers and safer prisons with improved conditions. MAINSTREAMING YOUTHS IN NATIONAL LIFE Increased Opportunities for Youth, Sports and Cultural Activities
● Create a non-partisan national Youth Corps.
● Establish a Presidential Youth Advisory Council to mainstream the focus on youth (jobs, housing, education, etc.)
. ● Provide a special fund for upgrading of sports and cultural facilities.
● Ensure that each region has a premium, multi-purpose sporting facility that could be used for multiple events.
● Build a sports academy to serve all regions. ● Provide incentive packages for businesses that provide sponsorships/employment opportunities for sports persons.
● Provide adequate financial and other resources for the promotion of the Arts, Culture and Heritage Sites.
● Provide tax and other incentives to expand job and income opportunities in the ‘entertainment sector’ including recording studios, promotion of shows and sporting events.
● Upgrade the South Dakota Circuit to international standard. EMPOWERING WOMEN AND TAKING CARE OF CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE GROUPS
● Expand child care programmes and centres countrywide and enhance the capacity of the Child Care and Protection Agency.
● Incentivize the provision of child care services including collaboration with the private sector.
● Encourage and assist in the establishment of day care centres for working women.
● Enhance nutrition and vaccination programmes.
● Focus on the economic empowerment of women in all regions through, among other things, incentives and programmes to access microfinance in the commercial banking system.
● Promote the establishment of micro and small businesses by women through support including appropriate training, mentoring and grants.
● Mainstream women's participation in governance.
● Provide enhanced benefits for public assistance recipients. ● Increase old age pension to $40,000 per month.
● Strengthen and enforce legislation on Trafficking in Persons.
● Expand access to Legal Aid Services for persons across Guyana.
● Improve conditions for persons with special needs, including children, through better facilities, services and job opportunities. SAFEGUARDING THE RIGHTS OF AMERINDIANS The Rights of Guyana’s Amerindians and their access to opportunities will be high on the PPP/C agenda. We have a track record of working to improve the lives of indigenous people across Guyana and the next PPP/C Government will continue to make this a priority. Emphasis will be placed on infrastructure development in villages, creating job opportunities, improving social services and enhancing the rights of indigenous people. Some of the policy measures to address the specific needs of the indigenous, hinterland and riverine people are:
● Immediately resume the Amerindian Land Titling Program.
● Resume the LCDS and advance the Opt-In Mechanism.
● Update the Amerindian Act after consultations with Amerindian communities.
● Fund the Community Development Plans thereby leading to the creation of jobs and income.
●Re-hire 2000 Community Service Officers (CSOs) as well as expand the CSOs Programme.
● Upgrade hinterland roads, airstrips and water supply.
● Improve agriculture support and infrastructure across the hinterland.
● Enhance and expand the Hinterland Housing Programme.
● Resume the household solar panel and computer projects.
● Deliver Government pensions, student grants and services directly to the recipients.
● Improve education and health facilities including hostels for secondary school students.
● Ensuring continuous supply of drugs and medical supplies.
● Improve working conditions for education and health workers.
● Harnessing potable water supply and securing water for agriculture and livestock during the dry season.
● Remove hardship taxes on hinterland communities especially in border areas.
● Increase Presidential Grants to fund other village activities.
