The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) was taken aback and very disappointed when it listened to Vice President and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan outburst during a recent media conference. We cannot help but wonder whether his colleagues do not offer him any cautionary advice about his conduct when in the view of the public. The Minister, at the press briefing, confessed to the media and by extension the Guyanese people, that he lacks any ideas to address the prison situation. His utterances do not give us hope that the Vice President is able to effectively discharge his Governmental responsibilities. The Minister went on to share that he has headaches in coming up with suggestions to address with the clearly serious prison situation. This is not something the Guyanese people want to hear at this time.
While FITUG knows that the Minister is known for such characteristic outbursts, for instance, we recall him telling jobless sugar workers earlier this year that God wanted the estates to be closed. However, this latest outburst, a confession of sorts, will cause many Guyanese to suffer sleepless nights. Just days prior to the Minister’s admission the Guyana Police Force statistics indicated a less than pleasing picture. From those statistics, we learnt that robbery is still prevalent. We cannot help but wonder, at this time, in what other areas is the Minister out of ideas. When one looks at the situation during the Minister’s stint we recognise that under his watch the nation witnessed several prison riots, the burning down of the Camp Street penitentiary, the escape of prisoners on more than one occasion, increased robberies and banditry, among other things. In those circumstances, it’s not difficult to reach the conclusion that the Vice President is found wanting.
We recognise too that Minister of State, Joseph Harmon indicated at his most recent post-Cabinet press briefing the Government has seemingly given Minister Ramjattan some assistance. From the State Minister, we learnt, at this time, the Public Security Minister is consulting with knowledgeable persons to assist him with some ideas. It puzzles us why is it in the first place, didn’t the Minister seek to consult with capable persons rather than having to get an order, so to speak, from the Cabinet to do so. Minister Ramjattan, as a seasoned politician, we expected would have known better, but maybe, it is we who have the bar set too high for him.
It seems to us that the time maybe now right for the Minister to give serious contemplation as to whether he is adequately fulfilling his responsibilities in a most serious area of governance. He may want to entertain his idea getting on a boat and anchoring it somewhere in the ocean as he suggested be done with the incarcerated.
Come Minister, our nation wants relief from the prevalent crime situation.
