GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) — The Guyana government on Monday said it welcomed the decision by the United Kingdom government to train immigration officers.

“This training is just to reinforce government’s policy, to provide the highest quality of service to the public and to visitors whether they come to tour or with skills for Guyana’s development. We must view this training in terms of what we are doing to harden our passport against fraudulent activities,” Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix, said at the opening of the weeklong workshop.

He said that the United Kingdom, through its High Commissioner, Greg Quinn, has agreed to assist the Guyana government to upgrade the skills of the immigration officers and for them to leave a lasting impression on visitors and passengers.

Felix indicated that often times, people attempt to transport illicit substances including cocaine and even traffic people. He noted that this must be identified and stopped at the immigration level.

Felix urged the participants to use the information provided to improve their attitude as this would enhance Guyana’s immigration department’s efficiency.

Quinn said the UK’s assistance has been provided by the national crime agency, but there are other areas of assistance where the UK’s experience could be helpful.