– attorney general hears

RESIDENTS of Whitewater Village in the Mabaruma sub-district, Region One have complained about members of the disciplined forces who have been deployed there to protect against the Venezuelan criminal gang: ‘Syndicatos’.

Relating his concerns to Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams at the National Toshaos Conference (NTC), Toshao of Whitewater village, Ernest Samuels disclosed, “Residents [are] requesting the soldiers and police can move more down to the borders because the Syndicatos are still moving into the village.”

Samuels, supported by his colleagues from the area, complained that the disciplined forces present in the region have not been friendly to the locals and they have been derelict in their duties by engaging in activities such as drinking and partying.

While he acknowledged the suggestion of having the forces moved closer to the border, Minister Williams noted that relocating them may not be the most effective solution in curbing their behaviour.

“But it’s a serious matter,” he affirmed and noted, “They are from a disciplined service and they are supposed to act disciplined.” Williams however contended that these issues garner government’s attention periodically and the reports will be taken.

To this end, he said, “I can assure you that the President of Guyana is very, very, very strict with those types of reports,” and added that it is one which will be dealt with.

When questioned the Guyana Chronicle as to how the delinquent officers will be sanctioned, Williams said, “These things are systemic, so you have to apply best practices. But boys will be boys, men will be men; they are away from their home but you have to have systems in place to have them focused on their tasks.”

During his presentation to the leaders at the conference, Williams also stressed his ministry’s stance against corruption and told Indigenous leaders that, “No one is above the law”, no matter their position in society and urged that Indigenous People speak out against injustices.

Specifically, he noted the role of the people in stamping out corruption which, according to him, breeds poverty. And to this end, he stressed that leaders need to be wary of corruption.

Toshao of Orealla, David Henry said that audits conducted in the village pointed to instances of corruption and asked the AG what should be done in this regard.

The AG noted that this is a very serious issue and efforts must be made to stamp out corruption and urged that the matter be reported to the relevant authorities. “If you are in a community, you have a duty to blow the whistle,” he said and noted that persons need not be afraid of speaking out because Guyana has the requisite legislation and witness protection.

“The law reaches you whether you are on the coast in Georgetown, or whether you are in Kaikan. The law is the glue that holds society together [and] without the law, there will be lawlessness,” Williams affirmed.

And referring to the access to justice, Williams acknowledged that it may be more difficult for persons living in the hinterland regions but shared that the President’s establishment of capital towns has also been to promote access to justice in all regions. .

He explained to this newspaper, “We are reorganising so that courts can be easily accessible in every region and persons will not straddle from Region Eight to go to Region Two [to access a court]. It’s too hard for the people.”