The AFC took the Bharrat Jagdeo administration to task over its track record on crime and corruption last evening with member, Moses Nagamootoo alleging that PPP officials did not want to reform the police force because their friends were involved in the narco-trade.
In an over an hour-long speech to several hundred supporters at Albion last evening, Nagamootoo, who recently joined the AFC, recalled that before being expelled from the PPP, AFC Presidential Candidate Khemraj Ramjattan had called for the professionalization of the police force to weed out corrupt people, including top ranks.
“They didn’t want that because many of their friends were involved in the trade, the narco-criminal trade. I told them in the party”, he declared.
He also said “I put it in writing they should investigate (former Home Affairs minister Ronald) Gajraj, they should not only investigate him, he should be sacked as a minister. They refused at the early period,” said Nagamootoo. Gajraj was eventually subject to a commission of inquiry in relation to allegations of connections to a death squad. He was eventually cleared at a limited inquiry and later resigned.
Nagamootoo referred to criminal activities that were occurring at the time. “The people wanted action but these men were in bed with the people who were part and parcel of the criminal enterprise,” he said alluding to the members of the police force. “That is why they didn’t want me in the party that is why they didn’t want me in the leadership,” Nagamootoo said. He said that the administration did not listen to ideas on how to solve crime.
Nagamootoo responded to several attacks that were levelled against him by members of the PPP as well as discredited several of their policies. He said that it was President Bharrat Jagdeo and the “Robb Street gang” who “betrayed” the legacy of the PPP leader, the late President Dr. Cheddi Jagan and this started with the rigging of internal elections of the PPP. “Jagdeo wanted to weaken the party so he could control… the party,” Nagamootoo charged. “He betrayed Jagan because he wanted a third term,” he said. Jagdeo has always denied that he wanted a third term. Nagamootoo also said that Donald Ramotar was identified as the next presidential candidate since last year and noted that he was being taken on trips by the President.
The former PPP executive also spoke on several other events that occurred at the party level including the threat to derecognize the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union. “They wanted to break the back of the sugar workers,” he said. He said that Prime Minister Samuel Hinds was chosen as
the prime ministerial candidate again as a
compromise because there were members including Gail Teixeira, who wanted that position. The PPP is being divided, Nagamootoo said.
He said that with respect to events including the export of the endangered bottlenose dolphin scandal, he had called for investigations but this was shot down by Jagdeo. Jagdeo also did not want a public procurement commission, Nagamootoo charged. He said that it was only because of public pressure that the One Laptop Per Family project was put to tender.
Jagdeo’s controversial pension also came under attack while AFC speakers also promised that should the party be elected there would be investigations into several areas. “This party (the PPP) is heartless,” said Erwin Abdulla. “They have a buddy-buddy,” system.
AFC leader and Prime Ministerial Candidate, Raphael Trotman said that PPP presidential candidate should be asked about the “tradition of success” that he has been touting. He pointed out that the only place he knows that Ramotar has been is on the Guysuco board. “Has Donald Ramotar done a good job on the Guysuco board,” he asked the crowd. “No,” they shouted.
The AFC rolled out several speakers including youths. They urged the crowd to vote for the party and end race voting and embrace national unity. Ramjattan was not present as he was holding a rally in Linden.
Part of the AFC gathering at Albion
