Phase one of Closed Circuit Television project completed

MINISTER OF FINANCE, Economic Planning, Sustainable Development and Information Technology, Camillo Gonsalves has received a certificate from the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) signifying the completion of phase one of the Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) project.

Commissioner of Police Colin John

The presentation ceremony took place on Tuesday June 1 at the Foreign Affairs conference room and heard remarks from Minister Gonsalves, Ambassador of the Republic of China to St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG),Calvin Ho, and Commissioner of Police Colin John.

Gonsalves noted that Taiwan has assisted this country in modernising and outfitting a monitoring station at the Questelles Police Station with cameras and equipment that are operational for 24 hours as he highlighted that country’s continued contribution to SVG.

He expressed his appreciation to the government and people of the Republic of China (Taiwan) on this gesture. Work has already begun on the second phase of the project which is the Intelligent Bus Management and monitoring system.

The Technology Minister added that Taiwanese associates in collaboration with the Commissioner of Police installed CCTV cameras at various locations across St Vincent to ensure general safety. He noted that there are currently Eighty-eighty (88) cameras in Kingstown, Twenty-six (26) along the Leeward coast, and fifty-eight (58) on the Windward coast.

Ambassador Ho thanked Minister Gonsalves and the Police Commissioner for the support to this project over the years.

In his remarks, Commissioner of Police, Colin John, echoed the benefits of the Intelligent Bus Management and Monitoring project. He said the Police Force welcomes the initiative and thanked the Government and people of Taiwan for their efforts. Furthermore, Commissioner John said that the initiative can assist in enhancing the transportation system, aid in time management, and provide a more equipped system to monitor and more effectively regulate the traffic.

He hailed the CCTV program as an initiative that is helpful to the Police force in the detection and prosecution of criminals, noting that it would also

act to deter criminal activities. Commissioner John thanked the Republic of China (Taiwan) for its efforts and gave the assurance that the system would be successfully and “efficiently run and managed.”

Additionally, stressing the level of support Taiwan has given Commissioner John said that many police officers have undergone significant training from Taiwan, particularly through the police apprentice program sponsored by the Taiwanese Government.

Ambassador Ho thanked Minister Gonsalves and the Police Commissioner for the support to this project over the years and thanked Minister Gonsalves and the Police Commissioner for their support over the years.

The Ambassador, who will soon end his tour of duty to SVG, looks forward to a continuing close working relationship between Taiwan and St Vincent and the Grenadines which this year are celebrating 40 years of diplomatic ties and friendship.