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National security minister satisfied with budgetary allocation

Contact: Shannon Lebourne

Wednesday 27 April 2011 –  Minister for Home Affairs and National Security Senator Honourable Guy Mayers, says he is very confident that the budgetary allocation of $EC127.2 million for Justice and Security will ensure that all citizens and visitors alike enjoy the warmth of Saint Lucia without fear of crime and violence. 

Minister Mayers says the allocation which was made by Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Honourable Stephenson King is in keeping with government’s  priority to deal emphatically with concerns of crime.

“If we are going to deal decisively with keeping Saint Lucia safe, we have to ensure that the appropriate resources are made available.  I am very happy that the prime minister indicated that this will be government’s top priority but he also ensured that financial resources are available for us to be able to pursue our mandate and to do what is required to be done to improve our national security.”

The $EC127.2 million allocation for justice and security includes provisions for increasing the police force by thirty constables, re-establishing the Special Reserve Unit and increasing essential supplies and equipment.

Minister Mayers says in order for law enforcement to execute their duties effectively, they must be equipped with the necessary tools and resources.

“There are a lot of prevention programmes that we will be undertaking. We also have to provide the police with the resources that they need. The electronic finger printing system which the police has been seeking for a long time will come on stream; we are pushing to have that system in place before the end of this year. Other things like boats will be procured and we are happy that we will now have the funding. Keeping the country safe is an expensive exercise; I am happy that the prime minister is making sure that we get the resources that we require.”

The $EC1.2 million dollar allocation represents ten percent of the total budget for the  2011/2012 financial year.

 

Minister Mayers will lead government’s business when the Senate convenes on Thursday April 28, 201,1 to debate the $EC1.3 billion dollar budget.

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