Local Government Ministry inks $1.6B security contract; over 1800 persons to gain employment

By Kurt Campbell

[www.inewsguyana.com] – The Ministry of Local Government and Regional development finalized several contracts totaling $1.6 billion with Homesafe Security and Domestic Services for the provision of security services in Guyana’s coastland regions – Regions two, three, four, five, six and ten.

The six contracts were signed on Friday October 25 and will see some 1,898 persons gaining employment across those regions.

Homesafe Security and Domestic Services will begin the provision of its services from November 1, 2013 up until October 31, 2014.

According to Subject Minister Ganga Persaud, the contracts are in keeping with the recently announced national minimum wage and will not allow for underpayment of employees.

He said if such complaints are made and are found to be true, the Ministry will move to revoke the contract with the security firm.  He cited the need for more efficient body guards and reminded of the right of the Regional Democratic Council to reject any guard it finds unacceptable.

According to Ganga, the previous security environment was plagued with several misconceptions and expressed the hope that the regions and Homesafe Security could maintain cordial relations over the next year.

Meanwhile General Manager of Homesafe Security, Robert Johnson expressed special thanks to the ministry for working with him on this venture. He told iNews that he has been in the business for over 12 years with his company being in existence for the last four years.