(Former PM Patrick Manning cuddles a baby with his private security on guard)Keith Rowley accused the government of Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday of a scheme to pay top party officials millions of dollars to use the country's 20,000 security guards in fighting crime.
The PNM political leader said at least three people with close government connections are associated with security companies that stand to gain from the plan.
However, National Security Minister Brig. John Sandy, quickly set the records straight, noting that the plan is a voluntary one that will not cost the State any money.
He said private security personnel would act as "eyes and ears" to help police when a crime is being committed.
Read the story: T&T gov't not paying any money for private security as part of crime plan
Rowley must have been confused about the matter because his former leader, ex-Prime Minister Patrick Manning, spent millions of taxpayers dollars for a private security force and probably thought the Kamla government planned to do the same.
According to a report in the NEWSDAY newspaper in January 2008, the Manning security force comprised 75 specially trained, armed guards who provided security for Manning at the Prime Minister’s official residence, Diplomatic Centre and Whitehall.
Executive Security Services Limited provided the services, which were paid for by the Office of the Prime Minister.
These guards were trained in policing, anti-terrorist activities and VIP security, Newsday stated.
According to the report, the lowest ranking officer in the security company earned between $10,000 and $12,000 a month, while the highest rank received a salary of $25,000 monthly.
Based on the figures and taking an average of $15,000 a month for each guard the office of the PM was paying about $13.5 million a year on salaries alone. And that doesn't take into account any additional overheads.
The report said the private security "virtually replaced Police Special Branch" which previously carried out security duties for the PM and worked under the direct control of former Special Branch Head, retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Mervyn Guiseppi.
1 comment:
Hi,
You've a pleasant blog. Now the market has started to appear up and folks are beginning to get jobs. But, many of them are confused whether or not they are acquiring the proper salary. They could determine this by comparing their salaries through internet tools. One such internet site to compare salary mechanical engineers and other professionals is whatsalary.com.
Post a Comment