…says Gov’t failing to keep Guyanese safe
Svetlana Marshall – Wednesday, November 3, 2021
Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Harmon, condemned the murder of well-known physician Dr. Colin Roach, even as he called on the Government to do much more at ensuring the safety and securing of citizens.
Dr. Roach, a medical doctor, was found murdered in his Duke Street, Kingston office on Tuesday night. He was a 49-year-old doctor of Windsor Estates, East Bank Demerara.
While expressing condolences to the family and friends of Dr. Roach, the Opposition Leader, in a statement on Tuesday, said it is tragic that Guyana has lost yet another valued member of its society to violent crime.
“Dr. Roach’s death represents the latest in a string of deaths that the PPP seems unable to halt. Was it not a few days ago that we mourned Ganesh Persaud, who was fatally stabbed? Was it not a few days ago that we mourned Joshua Denny, who was shot?” Harmon said.
He said citizens are living in fear of motorcycle bandits that roam the city day and night, and the Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn to step down.
“Citizens live in fear that confessed murderers will escape from custody, like Kalpildeo Gangadin a few days ago. How long can this go on? Is there no one competent who can take over the Ministry of Home Affairs?
We reiterate our call for Minister Benn to go. Why? Because it feels like every week we’re mourning. Why? Because we have not seen any improvement. Why” Because Dr. Colin Roach suffered a fate he didn’t deserve, and sadly no one will be surprised if next week we are mourning someone else. This violence must end. Benn must go. We continue to note the escalating crime situation. Regrettably, it has become the new normal under the watch of this installed government,” the Opposition Leader said.
Harmon said there is a direct connection between the deteriorating crime situation in the country and the government’s lack of action by the government, coupled with the “blatant political interference in the affairs of the Guyana Police Force and Police Service Commission.
“Once there is refusal to continue the implementation the Security Sector Reform Plan, reluctance to ensure there is a professional Guyana Police Force consistent with the provisions of the Constitution, an incompetent Minister of Home Affairs, clear diabolical plans being executed to have total domination and control of the police bureaucracy, there is no chance for there to be a successful crime fighting plan,” he contended.
He said while the government battles for control and domination, Guyanese are left to suffer at the hands of criminals. “Therefore, we are clear: in order to fight the scourge of crime, the people will have to exercise their most powerful weapon available in a democracy to return to the peace and security of 2015-2020,” he posited.
The police are currently investigating the murder of Dr. Roach, whose cellphones and car were stolen.
