IT is good to know  that the recent memorandum of understanding signed  between the Agriculture Minister of Guyana (Dr Leslie Ramsammy) and his Trinidad and Tobago counterpart (Devant Maharaj), is already bearing fruit in terms of expanding arrangements for citrus and vegetable production  within the context of widening trade relations between these CARICOM partner states that have much in common. That such a development is occurring simultaneously with increasing investments in Guyana by some leading corporate entities and well known entrepreneurs, is further proof-if indeed any is needed-of the deepening development partnership between our nation and that twin-island state, less than an hour’s flying time away by Caribbean Airlines from their respective international airports.
At the same time, it is quite relevant to observe that there needs to be more urgent and serious attention between these CARICOM partners in vital areas to curb spreading criminality, involving narco-trafficking, gun smuggling as well as the resolution of recurring immigration problems that’s inconsistent with the letter and spirit of the Community Treaty pertaining to unimpeded intra-regional movement and citizens’ right to work.
Just recently Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of  National Security, Gary Griffith, in rejecting claims by his government’s opponents that the deportation of a group of Nigerians smacked of “racism” against “Africans,” also pointed out that contrary to other misinformation, the single largest number of deportees of illegal immigrants in  T&T have been Guyanese nationals.
While Minister Griffith’s Guyanese counterpart, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, addresses this particular disturbing issue, it is also quite relevant that both ministers give urgent consideration to a meeting between them to deal with increasing threats being posed to life and property by armed criminals of varying CARICOM nationalities. Among them are reported to be undocumented Community nationals and foreigners involved in narco-trafficking.
Ministers Rohee and Griffith need to  give priority attention to the evolving of a policy framework for practical, hands-on cooperation with  a view to dealing with gun-related and narco-trafficking criminality. Also, to ensure immigration authorities are NOT abusing their powers in their treatment of CARICOM nationals. Or, for that matter, nationals of ALL states who turn up at established ports of entry.
We await to learn of the required initiatives to be pursued by Ministers Griffith and Rohee as raised in this Editorial.