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The 12 new armoured vehicles to be utilised by the security forces, as part of the national crime reduction strategy, should arrive in the island by July next year.
Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Senator Dwight Nelson, addressing a post-Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday (Nov. 19), said that Cabinet has approved the purchase of the vehicles at a cost of US$3,303,510, including a 50 per cent deposit of US$1,951,755.
"As you are aware, the national crime reduction strategy requires the mounting of a wide range of operations against criminal gangs and persons creating public mayhem. These operations involve the occupation of dangerous spaces with increased risk to the members of the armed forces. Efforts to effectively execute these operations are hampered by the absence of critical pieces of equipment, including the armoured personnel carriers," Senator Nelson pointed out.
He noted that these vehicles will better enable the security forces to overcome obstacles in roadways and operate in hostile situations, including during gunfire, and protect the lives of members of the armed forces.
"The Government is prepared to treat the needs of the security forces with the highest degree of priority and these vehicles are part of the priority needs of the security forces if they are going to be very effective in the fight against the mayhem, which is happening in the society," Senator Nelson stressed.
Meanwhile, Cabinet has endorsed the report that recommends the strengthening of the performance of senior public sector managers. This is part of an ongoing effort by the Government, with the assistance of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), to improve the accountability framework for the public sector and so strengthen Government.
He said the report spoke to three inter-related components: financial management, planning performance management and accountability, training and dissemination.
Referring specifically to the training to be carried out, Senator Nelson said that this will focus on specialised areas for public service managers, particularly technical personnel, with a communication strategy that will emphasise improving communication with the public.
Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Senator Dwight Nelson, addressing a post-Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday (Nov. 19), said that Cabinet has approved the purchase of the vehicles at a cost of US$3,303,510, including a 50 per cent deposit of US$1,951,755.
"As you are aware, the national crime reduction strategy requires the mounting of a wide range of operations against criminal gangs and persons creating public mayhem. These operations involve the occupation of dangerous spaces with increased risk to the members of the armed forces. Efforts to effectively execute these operations are hampered by the absence of critical pieces of equipment, including the armoured personnel carriers," Senator Nelson pointed out.
He noted that these vehicles will better enable the security forces to overcome obstacles in roadways and operate in hostile situations, including during gunfire, and protect the lives of members of the armed forces.
"The Government is prepared to treat the needs of the security forces with the highest degree of priority and these vehicles are part of the priority needs of the security forces if they are going to be very effective in the fight against the mayhem, which is happening in the society," Senator Nelson stressed.
Meanwhile, Cabinet has endorsed the report that recommends the strengthening of the performance of senior public sector managers. This is part of an ongoing effort by the Government, with the assistance of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), to improve the accountability framework for the public sector and so strengthen Government.
He said the report spoke to three inter-related components: financial management, planning performance management and accountability, training and dissemination.
Referring specifically to the training to be carried out, Senator Nelson said that this will focus on specialised areas for public service managers, particularly technical personnel, with a communication strategy that will emphasise improving communication with the public.
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