Dear Editor,
The year 2023 started on a positive note for most Guyanese. While life is made up of both joy and sorrow, too many families have already experienced a lot of sadness in the first half of January. From all indications the PPP/C intends to keep it that way by not addressing many issues which cause white- and blue-collar crimes, gang violence other social problems to escalate.
The drugs enterprise has grown exponentially since August 2, 2020. Guyanese are still witnessing both failed and successful attempts to sell and export illicit substances. In addition, even though many businesses have CCTV cameras, gun-toting criminals still find ways to carry out their egregious acts against innocent citizens.
Guyana, though considered to be the highest growing economy is likely to see a huge influx of expatriates. Crime will be a deterrent to them and our own Guyanese returning home. Meanwhile, the Guyana Police Force continues to state that “crime has decreased, and they have a Crime Prevention Plan”. Where is the evidence to support this?
Millions of dollars have been approved to equip the Guyana Police Force. I take this opportunity to remind readers that in 2021, the sum of $700M was budgeted for and approved to finance a new crime fighting team, the “Regional Joint Support Teams.” Many will recall the hard questions put to Madame Gail Teixeira and her failure to provide accurate and satisfactory responses during the consideration of the estimates in the National Assembly. As a representative of the people, I am requesting from the government an update on the operations and successes of this newly formed Agency which appears to be ghosting.
Guyanese will recall that when the Coalition Government took office in 2015, then Minister of Public Security, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, had an amnesty on illegal guns. This activity allowed for illegal guns to be surrendered, and yes, there was a significant reduction in crime. Recently, Former President David Granger, speaking on his weekly ‘Public Interest’ programme, indicated that there is a large number of firearms in circulation. This in effect has led to the rise of violent, gun-related crimes in our society. He further iterated that there are an estimated one hundred and twenty-two thousand (122,000) civilian-owned firearms in Guyana, which is claimed to be the highest in the Anglophone Caribbean.
If I recall correctly, there should be a working Sub-Committee of Cabinet on Security, but citizens are oblivious to the workings of this Committee. But clearly, the PPP/C regime has also failed in the area of crime prevention. How much more do families have to endure before the PPP/C and the Guyana Police Force get a grip on crime and security? We need urgent action!
Yours truly,
Annette Ferguson
Member of Parliament
