$1.5B Anna Regina Command Centre commissioned

National security and regional development have been strengthened with a $1.5 billion investment in the newly commissioned Anna Regina Divisional Headquarters and Command Centre in Region Two.

The modern facility was officially opened on Saturday by Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, alongside Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Andre Ally. The project, funded entirely by the Government of Guyana, is part of a broader national effort to expand public infrastructure and improve service delivery across all regions.

Minister Benn described the investment as a testament to the government’s promise to ensure balanced development.

“Region Two is no longer the Cinderella of the country—it is central to our national development,” he said. “Two-thirds of Guyana lies in this region, and we are investing accordingly.”

The command centre will be equipped with advanced surveillance systems, real-time communication tools, and integrated technology to support the Guyana Police Force in combating crime and improving public safety. It forms part of the wider network of the GPF’s Communications and Information Command Centres to bolster forensic and investigative capabilities.

Permanent Secretary Andre Ally highlighted that the total project cost includes $215 million for the Divisional Headquarters alone. He emphasised that this level of investment is also evident in the government’s continued focus on human resource development, training, and rehabilitation programmes.

The new headquarters complex includes critical departments such as the Criminal Investigation Department, Traffic Unit, Domestic Violence and Gender-Based Units, Child-Friendly and Juvenile Holding Areas, Witness Protection Rooms, and Case Management Systems—bringing essential services closer to residents.

In addition to improving infrastructure, the government has recorded tangible results from its interventions. Ally reported an 18 per cent decline in serious crimes in Region Two, attributing the improvement to a combination of infrastructure upgrades and enhanced police training. He also cautioned residents on the rise of road accidents, urging more responsible road use.

Assistant Commissioner of Police for Operations, Errol Watts, and G Division Commander Khemraj Shivbaran praised the government’s investment, noting that the region is now better equipped to manage immigration, finance, and court-related matters. They encouraged residents to protect the new facilities and take pride in their development.

Residents have expressed satisfaction with the project, especially the decentralisation of services such as passport processing, which now eliminates the need for long-distance travel to Georgetown.

Minister Benn and PS Ally unveil the plaque at the commissioning