– rebutting Granger’s claim that narco-trafficking is driving Guyana’s economy

LEADER of the main opposition, David Granger, is “playing politics” with the major issue of Guyana’s efforts to combat narco-trading, according to General Secretary of the ruling party, Clement Rohee.

And he called for both, an apology and the evidence from Granger to support, what he dubbed “unsubstantiated” claims, that Guyana’s economy is driven by the drug trade.
“Granger and his party is only playing politics with an issue of grave importance to the security and well-being of the citizens of this country who are getting increasingly tired of the antics and theatrical postures of the opposition parties in parliament,” Rohee said at a press conference yesterday at Freedom House, Robb Street.

“The party stands fully behind President Donald Ramotar when he said that Granger and the Opposition should apologise to the people of Guyana for those outrageous statements which are an attack on all the hard working people of Guyana who by virtue of hard work and investment have driven the economy forward” – Rohee

The Leader of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) last Tuesday told the National Assembly that Guyana is now closer than it has ever been to becoming a narco-state based on the revelations of Guyana’s narcotic linkages and the Government’s “inability” to enforce anti-drug trafficking measures.
Granger said, “Police have to be better paid and they have to be retrained, that is the most important thing, having a good police force… the important thing is to ensure that you have an efficient police force, well paid, well trained and committed to performing their duties.
“…it turns out now that there were local gangs operating in that area but because of the minister’s intrusive behaviour innocent policemen have now been stigmatized by being transferred.
“…unless you deal with the police force, you cannot deal with things like murder, banditry, piracy all of these other crimes and traffic accidents can only be brought under control by an efficient police force. If you have a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) that is weak, if you have traffic police that are weak or venal, they are taking bribes, you can’t stamp out crime… at any level, whether it’s domestic violence or narco-trafficking.”
The General-Secretary said, “The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is alarmed over recent statements made by Leader of the Opposition David Granger that the country is faced with a public security crisis where “narco-trafficking is the engine of growth that is driving the economy.”
“The party stands fully behind President Donald Ramotar when he said that Granger and the Opposition should apologise to the people of Guyana for those outrageous statements which are an attack on all the hard working people of Guyana who by virtue of hard work and investment have driven the economy forward.
“…the PPP is of the view that rather than making wild and unsubstantiated statements, Granger should do the decent thing and provide evidence of those involved in narco-trafficking and provide names of those whose narco-money are being used to drive the Guyana economy.”
Rohee made it clear that the Opposition Leader’s comments are a clear attack on sugar workers, rice and cash crop farmers, fishermen, public servants and the private sector – all hardworking people, who have combined their resources and talents to advance the prosperity and collective wealth of Guyana.

SMOKESCREEN
He added that Granger is using the issue of narco- trafficking as a “smokescreen” to detract attention from the Budget which has attracted the attention of a broad cross-section of the Guyanese people.
“What Granger has deliberately withheld from the Guyanese people are the strong endorsements of the great strides made by the Government of Guyana in the strengthening of the economy and in the struggle against money laundering and narco-trafficking,” Rohee said.
The General-Secretary referred to the 2014 Country Report from the International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), which said, “As a matter of policy, the Government of Guyana does not encourage or facilitate the illicit production or distribution of narcotics or psychotropic drugs or other controlled substances, or the laundering of proceeds from illegal drugs transactions.”
He added that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in a recent report also lauded the economic performance of the country and said, “Real economic activity expanded by 4.8 percent in 2012 on the back of broad-based growth in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, construction and other services…the macroeconomic outlook is generally positive for 2013 and the medium term. Growth is projected at 4.8 percent in 2013, continuing the broad-based robust expansion in economic activity.”
Rohee stressed that these are strong and powerful statements emanating from reputable international bodies, which speak to the enormous strides the country has made both in terms of economic growth and in the fight against narco-trafficking.
He said, “The PPP is pleased with the efforts made by the Government of Guyana as regards measures taken both at the legislative and administrative level to stem the flow of illicit drugs into the country and in the implementation of anti-narcotic measures within the overall framework provided by the International Control system.
“These include the annual allocation of additional funding to facilitate the procurement of highly technological equipment and heightened surveillance by the Drug Enforcement Agencies in Guyana.”
He underscored the difference in what is being said and done by the Opposition and pointed to the continued delays in the passage of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill and the more recent votes against budgetary allocations that would advance the nation’s development, as well as that of the people.
The General-Secretary said, “Granger certainly has some explaining to do to the Guyanese people in terms of his party’s refusal to support the passage of the anti-money laundering and financing of terrorism bill, despite the pleadings from Regional leaders and other concerned organisations.
“The cuts in budgetary allocations and other legislative action by the political Opposition are aimed at putting road blocks in the Government’s attempts to strengthening the economy and building capacity to address the issue of money laundering and narco-trafficking.
“…Granger is still stuck in a mindset that once prevailed in Guyana where the integrity of the state was sacrificed on the altar of narrow political opportunism to a point where a notorious fanatic and drug trafficker Jim Jones was allowed to set up a virtual ‘state within a state’ in Jonestown, Guyana.”
Rohee expressed his confidence that the people of the nation will “see through the facade of Granger and his party and their total disregard” for the safety and well-being of the Guyanese people.

(By Vanessa Narine)