Donations to Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force for enhanced maritime security and law enforcement

Rashaed Esson

StaffWriter

#Trinidad&Tobago, June 12, 2023 – A Visit Board,Search and Seizure (VBSS) Kit and Equipment, as well as Consumables for Capital Assets of the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force were donated by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in collaboration with the Government of Canada.  The donation was received by Fitzgerald Hinds, National Security Minister on behalf of the Government.

The Security Ministry highlighted that the donation comprises operational gear, tactical equipment, spare parts consumables for capital assets and that they will support training for the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (TTCG) to fortify  maritime  search and seizure operations.

Also, there are tactical vests, handheld metal detectors, helmets, radio communication devices, protective hearing apparatus, and consumables for the maintenance of TTCG vessels.

Overall, this donation will be used to foster hands-on and practical learning experience for maritime law enforcement officers, who will have access to modern equipment, with the intention of enhancing their skills and capacity for better performance in operations.

The strengthening of maritime security and law enforcement locally and in the region are the reasons for this initiative.

The Handover Ceremony was held at the TTCG Headquarters, Staubles Bay Chaguaramas, and Hinds thanked UNODC and the Government of Canada, through the Anti-Crime and Capacity Building Programme from Global Affairs Canada, for facilitating the donation.

The minister further expressed, ” in the area of capacity development of our law enforcement officers, including Defence Force personnel, the Ministry of National Security is pursuing new and innovative areas for international defence and security cooperation, which will improve the career experience of our military personnel and enhance their professional development opportunities.”

Attending the  Handover Ceremony were Chief of Defence Staff, Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, Air Vice Marshal Darryl Daniel; Acting Vice Chief of Defence Staff, Wing Commander Kemba Hannays; Acting Commanding Officer Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, Commander Akhenaton Isaac, who also delivered remarks; and Deputy Director of the International Affairs Unit, Ministry of National Security, Major (Ret’d) Richard Lynch.

Also in attendance were Arif Keshani, High Commissioner of Canada to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and Josefina Otero, UNODC’s Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Program Officer, who delivered remarks at the event. They both recognized  long-established bilateral relationship with Trinidad and Tobago; the successes of ongoing national security initiatives; and committed to continued support for public safety projects.