Public security is so important in this country that it ought not to be politicised, PNCR-1G MP Deborah Backer said yesterday, as she harshly criticised the administration for allowing a breakdown in law and order to the point where murders, domestic violence and torture are daily headlines.
The system is defined by a complete breakdown, she said, while noting that drug smuggling is as out of control as the killings and violence which are perpetrated against women and children in the society. She observed that government cannot do it alone and called on her fellow MPs to embrace a more bipartisan approach to Guyana’s problems.
Under the theme “The sameness of it all,” Backer delivered a rousing presentation as the 2011 budget debate continued and she was very sharp in her critique of public security and the government’s response to the mounting concerns.
The recent collapse of the torture case against two police officers, the Neesa Gopaul tragedy and Sheema Mangar’s cruel death were among those repeatedly raised by Backer as she questioned what is happening with security and the government’s obligation to protect the citizenry. The reference to the torture case triggered an objection from Attorney General Charles Ramson, who cautioned Backer that the matter was sub judice (under judgment). But Backer made it clear her focus was on the criminal aspect of the case which has “definitely collapsed.”
Backer registered her concerns regarding Human Services Minister Priya Manickchand’s presentation, which preceded hers, saying that the Minister spoke at length on various issues and did not make a single mention of the Neesa Gopaul case and or addressed in any real way the issue of domestic violence. The Gopaul case, she argued, remains an indictment on ‘the powers that be’ in the country, including stakeholders in the opposition, among others. “That we could collectively allow this to happen is a stain on all of us, including the Honourable Member who spoke before me,” Backer said.
She said too that public security would be “the same as before, no changes” until the political directorate quits micro-managing the security forces. She also charged that the disciplined forces must deal condignly with rogue officers and added that the situation would only change if this and other critical measures are implemented. “Until this government stops being petulant and non-receptive to constructive recommendations that emanate outside of Freedom House or the Office of the President, proper security in this country will remain but an elusive dream to be achieved, but never attained,” Backer said, quoting reggae icon Bob Marley.
Minister Manickchand largely ripped into a report prepared by AFC MP Sheila Holder on old age pension during her presentation (see story on page 11), but also took the opportunity to say that government is delivering year after year on its promises to the Guyanese public in every sector. She referred to the increased expenditure in successive years since 1999 as evidence of government’s commitment to the citizenry to provide better services.
‘The usual rhetoric’
Manickchand dismissed criticisms of the budget as “the usual rhetoric” and she said that anyone who reads the budget and concludes it has nothing for people lacks an understanding of it. She charged that PNCR Shadow Finance Minister Volda Lawrence also had “no concept of [what] the budget is about” based on her opening critique of it on Monday.
Clearly agitated by the pension fraud allegation, Manickchand delivered an impassioned presentation and as she slammed critics of the budget her voice soared in the House. “Where is the money going that we’ve allocated to education, to space?” Manickchand asked rhetorically and she questioned what exactly the PNCR has done for women, children and senior citizens in the country.
With a copy of the PNCR’s 2006 manifesto in hand, Manickchand argued that she read the document in its entirety and “found nothing on women, children and old people.” By comparison, she held up the PPP/C manifesto and declared that all the promises made with respect to the named groups were delivered, particularly the Women of Worth (WOW) programme, which she praised as a major achievement for single parent women in the country.
But Backer accused Manickchand of ignoring domestic violence during her presentation and went on to quote writings by House Speaker Ralph Ramkarran on the issue. Stressing that she agreed with Ramkarran’s position, she argued that domestic abuse ought to be treated as a national emergency. She called on Manickchand to admit that while government is working in the area of domestic violence, it is losing the battle to protect women. “Call on us, members of the opposition, NGOs and ask us whether we have any ideas, let us work together to try and stamp out this nationwide monstrosity,” Backer added.
She also slammed Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, as she pointed out that narco-trafficking is now a huge business in Guyana. Backer pointed to the cocaine in pink suitcase case, the cocaine in cooked rabbit case, the cocaine in milk tins case, the cocaine in wigs case as well as cases where cocaine was strapped on people. She said drugs are leaving here like crazy. “No wonder a group of innovative Guyanese with our strange sense of humour is in the middle of working on a production called ‘Carry on Cocaine.’ I hope the Minister of Culture in an all embracing way gives support to this production. We might even find some actors over there,” Backer said, gesturing to the government benches.
Backer threw in a laugh at the end of her presentation when she pulled out a box of cornflakes and offered it to Rohee. The cereal, she recalled, was mentioned when the Minister spoke of his “political DNA kicking in” and she called on him to let the box of cereal inspire him to say whether he is providing enhanced stewardship over the security forces.
PNCR MP Mervyn Williams also spoke yesterday and he questioned reports in the agriculture sector regarding “how well things are going there.” Williams said that all is not bright and beautiful in the sector, particularly with sugar. Sugar, he said, is suffering from a number of afflictions and according to him none of them have to do with weather as cited by the Finance Minister in his budget presentation.
Williams said that the government is spending money to construct buildings in Region 3, but that many are now white elephants. He also mentioned the bungled Supenaam stelling, noting that up to this day the stelling remains inoperable.
Further, he spoke of child abuse in the education system, saying this is a contributory factor with respect to how some children perform academically.
