Dear Editor,
KHEMRAJ Ramjattan was an utter failure as Public Security Minister and has no grounds to criticize any member of this current government.
Ramjattan’s stint as head of the security sector will forever be marred by the numerous prison escapes that plunged Guyanese into a state of fear that was justifiable, given that in every corner of the country there were stories emanating of violent crimes, especially armed robberies and even murders.
During the APNU+AFC’s tenure in office, there were numerous prison breaks, prominent among which was the devastating prison fire and riot that resulted in the death of some 17 prisoners, a prison officer and the almost total destruction of the Camp Street prison.
Adding to the security sector woes, then-President David Granger released numerous convicted criminals on an annual basis, raising concerns among the public over the criteria used to select prisoners and the rationale.
A country’s security sector bears the most responsibility for protection of citizens from criminal elements; thus, anyone tasked with the mandate of managing this vital sector should prove, over time, meritorious in the functionality and efficiency of the various arms of government comprising his portfolio.
However, from the inception of the appointment of Khemraj Ramjattan as Public Security Minister, there had been one critical incident after another that compromised the nation’s safety that engendered calls, even from his own party’s supporters, that he should resign, or be re-assigned because he had clearly failed to deliver on his primary mandate.
What was more appalling than Ramjattan’s glaring failures were his constant attempts to defend the indefensible. As Security Minister, Ramjattan excused himself with one ridiculous postulation after another when the reality is that he was unable to perform to the expectations due to alleged machinations of his own government.
In contrast to this, President Dr Irfaan Ali, in his New Year’s speech, has given the assurance that national security would be reinforced to a requisite quantum –which assures that soldiers and police ranks would be deployed to emergency situations at an instant, with enhanced crime-fighting capacity.
Sincerely Yours,
Attiya Baksh
