PRESIDENT David Granger is of the view that some persons continue to have a vested interest in ensuring that the society remains overshadowed by crime and violence for the promotion of illegal activities. It was against that backdrop that the President called on the masses to understand how the narcotics trade works.
Speaking at the Third Annual State of the African-Guyanese Forum at the Critchlow Labour College, Mr Granger said: “Many of the execution murders, many dealers of illegal narcotics have become extremely rich but that wealth is at the price of hundreds of people and we do not know yet how many people died so the question of National Security is at one level but unless we make this country safe for our women and children, unless we make this country secure we will always have an unstable environment.”
He noted that Guyana is part of the continental landmass border with Brazil which happens to be one of the world’s largest exporters of small arms and Guyana is a victim of many transnational crimes.
He also pointed out that Guyana is not in the business of coca production but happens to be a major export platform for cocaine and is also a victim of gunrunning and people trafficking.
Transnational crimes
The Guyanese leader warned that it is the transnational crimes which have been pumping violence into Guyana and while many of the persons may not have understood the events of 2000-2008, they should understand how the narcotics trade works.
Mr Granger stated that investors will refuse to come to Guyana if they feel their fishing boats are going to be raided by pirates, they will refuse to come if they feel that their gold mining operations will be attacked by bandits.
He pointed out that even mothers and daughters are afraid to go out sometimes because of the threat to their lives.
The President also took time to focus on the issue of old women living in some parts of the country where they are likely to be attacked and violated, as the country has become an unsafe place for many of the vulnerable citizens. This is a matter that has to be placed on the table and addressed before Guyana celebrates its golden jubilee in 2016, he added.
Unemployed
President Granger, however, acknowledged the fact that part of the problems facing the society has to do with the many unemployed persons. He said further that there needs to be an understanding that many of the crimes in this country are sponsored, not by the ordinary people who steal a mobile phone or engage in shoplifting, but rather by big, rich dealers who pump violence into the country to enforce their illegal operations.
The President then recalled his decision to release 60 young people from jail as he had expressed the view that they should be in college, school or at home with their families.
“That is why on May 26 I have no qualms about releasing 60 young people from jail. I said they should be in college and they should be in school, they should be at home with their families, not in jail – ‘how you’re going to sentence a 19-year-old boy to 18 months in prison for stealing a cellphone?’ I cannot do that – ‘go thy way and sin no more’,” he had told the young offenders.
The President noted that attention must also be placed on dealing with the many unemployed young people and why so many of them are getting sucked into crime.

By Leroy Smith