Crime, corruption and waste are the chief
disincentives to sustainable development and economic growth. Falling squarely
under the ambit of the divisions of the Ministry
of National Security; the Defence Forces, its arms, divisions and
initiatives, and for all intents and purposes, are key mandates of the Police Service. Employing numerous Resource
Preservation strategies to protect life, guard the borders, prevent and detect
crime, investigate evidence of corruption, spot and stop waste of the country’s
physical assets. Resource Preservation comprises funds, 12.10% of the nation’s total expenditure as
reported by the Auditor General 2017 and 10.22%
in the revised estimates 2018
and 10.66% up by 6.67% for 2019 published by the
Ministry of Finance. The necessary policies, essential tools and equipment,
heavily supported by real-time intelligence and both witness and scientific
evidence, are addressed in the national budget.
The nation’s defense, against both internal
and external threats, is seen as the vanguard of such Resource Preservation. The
Defence Force, subdivided into the Regiment,
Coast Guard and Air Guard with the Defence Force Reserves and the Cadet Force constantly
sustaining military might, is the leadership and General Administration charged
to protect all national interest when called upon too. Funded, for 2019, by 21.42% of the total Resource
Preservation budget in peaceful times and with numerous international training
opportunities, this force engages in disaster management, ceremonial functions,
Search and Rescue, the prevention of trafficking of narcotics and other illegal
goods and monitors the nation’s air space and waters.
The Police
Service, finally with a substantial appointed Commissioner after many years
of an acting leader, is in control of its own budget, 36.74% of the total Resource Preservation
budget for 2019,
although still functioning as a division of the Ministry of National Security. With over 6,500 Police Officers in varying ranks and Special
Reserved Police support the mandate of the Service. The Mandate is to; Maintain
law and order, Preserve peace, Protect life and property, Prevent and detect
crime, Apprehend offenders and Enforce all laws and regulations with which it
is charged. The Police
Service is organized into nine Divisions which covers the entire nation as well
as 18 Branches, Squadrons and Units, and its own Training Academy.
Another 27.17% of the total Resource Preservation
expenditure funds for 2019
includes: The Prison Service, which
has recently suffered numerous murders of officers, is to protect society and;
reduce crime through the reduction in re-offending by facilitating the
opportunities for the rehabilitation of offenders, while maintaining control
under safe, secure and humane conditions. Probation
Services mandate is to manage applications in criminal and other matters
based on the recommendation of the Judicial system. The Immigration Division which is responsible for the control of
persons entering and leaving the country, the issuance of travel documents both
locally and at its foreign Missions and its Detention Centre for the
confinement of prohibited immigrants pending deportation and/or the determination
of matters/investigations. The Fire Services operates under four main divisions strategically
located throughout the country. The Life
Guard Services is to ensure the safety of individuals in aquatic
environments.
The remaining funds are for other various
operations and initiatives; with 10.47% allocated for 2019 to provide New Buildings, Equipment and Vehicles, and to
fund the Forensic Science Centre, and 4.21% for 2019 funding 15 other units. Such as; the Office
of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM), the Strategic Services Agency
for coordinating operations for the suppression of illicit drug trafficking,
the Transit Police Unit, Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, just to name a
few. As ambitious as these projections are, the citizenry must firstly be
informed and made comfortable confident and secure, that Internal Affairs are
rooting out Crime, Corruption and Waste from all the divisions of National
Security, for our own safety. Bearing in mind, personnel cost is 66.49% of the total Resource
Preservation expenses for 2019.
Rationale
T.A.J & Associates Company Limited uses this occasion to comment on topics that have been covered, both academically and by the mainstream media, to add its opinion and point out investment opportunity, not to invoke any social action.
