Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee maintains that there is no breakdown of law and order in Guyana. He pointed to a growing economy and the proper function of essential services as indicators of this conclusion.
Addressing the National Assembly on the final day of the budget debate on Monday, January 31st, Rohee flayed the opposition for suggesting that there was a breakdown in law and order locally. He challenged the parliamentarians to provide the facts when making such claims.
According to him, the economic activities in Guyana show no signs of slowing down, as almost 1000 new companies were registered in 2010 and more than 150,000 tourists visited the country in the same year.
Rohee also pointed to growing confidence in the local economy by the private sector, as is demonstrated by that sector’s continued investments over the years. He also alluded to a robust and extensive nightlife in Guyana.
“People go about their daily lives in a routine manner,” he added. “These are all signs that the security of the state is not threatened, and that law and order is being kept to an optimum level by the law enforcement agencies.”
Rohee was speaking directly to his counterpart in the People’s National Congress Reform, MP Debra Backer, who, in an impassioned presentation last week, called for the political directorate to stop micro-managing the disciplined forces.
“This assertion is without any foundation whatsoever, and is obviously based on hearsay, anecdotal and perhaps statements made by some who are either disloyal to the organisation or loyal to those who have a vested interest in the ethnic appeal of ‘kit and kin’,” the home affairs minister responded.
He pointed out that the joint services work hard and, as such, should be supported by all in their efforts. According to the minister, Backer’s claims that the government is being “petulant and non-receptive to constructive recommendations outside of Freedom House and the Office of the President,” is a clear show of her lack of understanding of the way the government operates. He told the National Assembly that the administration thrives on a democratic process that involves active consultation with many Guyanese.
“Meetings between ministers and the people take place on a daily basis. Every day you have three, four, sometimes five ministers in the field meeting people to discuss and solve problems,” Rohee pointed out.
Further, he revealed the main elements of the administration’s anti-crime strategy and maintenance of public order plan, which feature the provision of increased resources to the intelligence community, a more aggressive approach to reducing the amount of illegal firearms in society, and strengthening of border controls.
The establishment of a marine outpost at the mouth of the Pomeroon River and the introduction of CCTV around the city and its environs are also part of this massive plan of ensuring public safety.
The home affairs minister also told the National Assembly of the ministry’s fight against drug trafficking. Some of the elements of this plan are the provision of more human and technological resources to the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) and the Narcotics Branch of the police force, and enhancing maritime intelligence by establishing relevant databases and profiling of vessels.
Rohee also said that government intends to continue networking with foreign counterparts to effect upgrading of security arrangements at the country’s two international airports.
In her presentation last week, Backer had said that if the government was serious about transforming the public safety landscape, it would leave no stone unturned as it seeks, in true partnerships, to move the country forward. She noted that her party was ready to partner with the government in this regard. But Minister Rohee insisted that this offer was just talk.
“They are not really interested in offering any tangible or concrete help. What they are really offering is lip service.” According to Rohee, if the PNCR party were interested in offering help, it should have done so a long time ago. Some Gy$15.9 billion was allocated to the security sector in the 2011 National Budget.
