Dear Editor,
I note another effort by the Guyana Police Force to deal with the self-inflicted problem of illegal sirens. This sordid development is undoubtedly symptomatic of the general breakdown of law and order that has descended upon the country since August 2020.
Since that time, illegal sirens have emerged and have continued to disrupt the lives of ordinary Guyanese conducting their everyday affairs.
In my capacity as Shadow Minister of Home Affairs, I have issued several public complaints on this issue. I have utilized the parliamentary process to seek recourse for the Guyanese people.
During the 2022 budget estimates, I grilled the Minister of Home Affairs on this issue.
To date, there has been no evidence to suggest that the problem is being resolved.
On February 2, 2023, the Minister of Home Affairs told the Committee of Supply that the Government will tweak the law to expand the list of emergency vehicles. Today, we see a grand announcement of renewed vigour for a crackdown on illegal sirens on non-emergency vehicles.
We welcome this announcement and considering that the law has not been tweaked, we urge the Guyana Police Force to enforce the laws as laid out not only in the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act but all Laws and the Constitution of our land without fear or favor.
Yours faithfully,
Ms Geeta Chandan-Edmond
Attorney -at-Law
APNU+AFC Member of
Parliament