The Upper Corentyne, Central and Berbice chambers of commerce have urged the government to call in international crime experts and spare no expense to tackle violent crime as the nation has been plunged further into mourning following the shootings at Bartica.
In a press release the groups said the usual rhetoric such as “the government is committed to fighting crime” or that there is a “current plan” are of cold comfort to citizens who are asking ‘Where will they strike next?’
The entire nation is traumatised. Business is at a standstill. The economy is seemingly paralysed, the groups said. “In a small country like Guyana, the situation has already exceeded crisis proportions and, therefore, requires urgent and even drastic measures as a response.” The groups are calling on the government to spare no effort and cost in hiring international experts to pursue both the masterminds and hirelings of these heinous crimes since our armed forces are “clearly not equipped to engage these terrorists.”
The groups also said government should contract, for the long term, a specially trained, equipped and financially well-furnished elite team to respond to this type of crime. In the meantime, they suggested, Joint Services quick response teams should be stationed at East and West Berbice. The groups also suggested that government doubles the salaries of the lower ranks of the police force and offer them attractive incentives, concessions and adequate compensation to their families should they lose life or limb.
