Dear Editor,

PERMIT me space in your publication to reply to a lengthy missive by former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee that was published in newspapers this week.
In it he basically lambastes the administration for doing a poor job with public security, but it should be clear to unbiased onlookers that Mr. Rohee is prejudiced, and even bitter about not being in control of national security anymore.

First, he needs to know that Guyanese feel so safe now that the so-called Mom-and-Pop corner shops are thriving with both young and old imbibing beers, malts and other beverages, sometimes annoyingly so, with loud music from vehicles.

There is also the fact, Honourable Mr. Rohee, that the current Coalition Government cannot be faulted for abusing Police units to terrorise citizens as was the case with the infamous ‘Black Clothes’ gang of the Jagdeo era. There is no ‘Phantom’ or ‘Death Squad’ roaming the streets, engaging in drive-by shootings with the protection of officialdom, using machine and other guns loaned to them from the State. People don’t complain about being framed by the police in large numbers anymore, and there is certainly not a single political prisoner in the State system.

Reforms and modernisation efforts in the police system, which the Jagdeo Administration failed to implement, are now being undertaken. Few can point to widespread corruption at the top echelons in the Force, as was the case previously when American entry visas were cancelled. The visas of at least two PPP ministers associated with security were also pulled for malfeasance in public office, because of their unusual association with the underworld, much to that government’s embarrassment and disgrace. One involved the very minister who attacked the Coalition for its alleged poor record on national security.

Mr. Rohee complained about the disbandment of several security commissions, including one related to airport security, but he should recall that many of those who sat on those commissions would not be of the personal and professional caliber that the Coalition would feel comfortable with. I could go on and on about the horrible times Guyanese lived through during the time of the PPP, particularly after August 1999, when Mr. Jagdeo became president. Not since the slave era has so much blood drained on and stained the nation. I argue this point without fear of the possibility of successful contradiction, as Guyana is a much safer place now, run by people of integrity and far more decency than during the time of the PPP. This certainly includes the security sector.

Regards,
Peter Joseph