BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE performance level of the Federation’s security forces is expected to be enhanced following the provision of additional vehicular power.
Notwithstanding a slight decreased in the allocated funds to the Ministry of National Security, Immigration and Labour, the fleet of vehicles attached to the security forces is expected to see an increase.
This revelation was made by Prime Minister of the Federation and Minister of Finance Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas during his presentation of the 2010 Budget Address before the Federal Parliament on Tuesday (Mar. 23).
The Finance Minister informed that the Ministry of National Security, Immigration and Labour has been apportioned $46,976,686, a 3.6 percent decrease from the $48,728,525 allotted for use during the previous year.
He said law and order and its maintenance remains a priority of the government as the Federation treads the path of national development. While he admonished all to refrain from trivialising and politicising the issue of crime, Dr. Douglas renewed his government’s commitment to the arduous fight.
“We recommit ourselves to elevating the fight against crime through even more rigorous enforcement and by attacking the root causes of the antisocial behaviour exhibited by some of our young men, in particular.”
An 18 percent reduction in overall crime was achieved, according to Dr. Douglas. However, as he further explained, the Ministry of National Security has been largely preoccupied with an attempt to apprehend the “present escalation in gun-related crimes attributed to gangs…To this end, in 2010, the Anti-Gun Unit and the Strike Force will continue to focus on recovering firearms from our streets and dismantling gangs”.
The security forces are charged with the responsibility of protecting the citizens of this Federation and maintaining law and order. The demand on the security forces, as explained by the former Minister of National Security, is significant and if they were to effectively execute their duties, the proper equipment must be afforded them; funding for which has been provided.
“We believe that increased visibility of our security forces is an important factor in deterring crime. Resources have therefore been allocated to providing vehicles to assist the security forces in this regard and to allow them to discharge their functions with greater efficiency.”
Over the years, the Federal government has undertaken a number of projects and enlisted external assistance in mentally, physically and otherwise equipping the members of the security forces to render optimum performance.
Dr. Douglas pledged that his government’s intention is to “continue giving them all the support they need including training, equipment and modern physical facilities to allow them to do an effective job”.
