IF POLITICALLY opportunistic, frustrated and criminal minded elements in our midst have chosen to resort to a new campaign of discord, disorder and destruction, then they should expect that the full force of the law will be unleashed to avoid a recurrence of the infamy of Saturday morning’s fire-bombing of the main building of the Ministry of Health on Brickdam.

This nation simply cannot afford a return to the lawlessness, destruction and fear that not so long ago gripped too many of our communities, with loss of lives, including children, and destruction to property, plus the fear and bitterness spawned by the acts of criminality.

For those too intellectually and morally bankrupt to engage in dialogue and offer ideas for peaceful development for Guyana, they should be reminded that this nation has come too far to allow terroristic activities to triumph over the rule of law.

As the security forces were working round-the-clock to locate and apprehend those suspected of involvement, President Bharrat Jagdeo was announcing a $25 million reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of that despicable act.

It is imperative that no time be lost in expeditiously bringing to justice those responsible. Some recent signals and activities by certain elements have been noted, but the crime sleuths, the experienced investigators of the security forces would know, should know, how to diligently and fearlessly proceed in support of the rule of law.

Much is at stake. The domestic terrorists, the elements with a passion to spread hate, fear and destruction, as if to mock serious efforts by the public and private sectors to push ahead with plans for the social and economic progress of Guyana, must not be comforted by failures of the law enforcing agencies.

Only those committed to hampering national progress in order to satisfy their pompous egos, narrow agendas and distaste for peaceful engagement, can benefit from the criminal destruction of the Ministry of Health building.

It is encouraging to learn from Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, that the destruction to the main building did not affect the services normally offered by the health sector. What, of course, is most desirable, is for the culprits involved to be flushed out — from wherever — and face the consequences, in accordance with the rule of law.

We await the responses from the parliamentary opposition parties and civil society representatives.

Opposition Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform, Robert Corbin, currently faced with his own internal party problems, had a most curious initial reaction, as reported in another section of the media.

He said, in commenting on the destruction tragedy, that “other mysterious fires had haunted other government buildings and ministries over the years.” He went on to express hope that “the fire is investigated thoroughly.” Some may consider this an understatement, to say the least.

It certainly was not a condemnation of the criminal act. We, too, hope that there will be a “thorough” investigation; one that culminates with the arrest, prosecution and conviction of the perpetrators.