Dear Editor,
Because of boldness and fear of victimization, Guyanese have to sit back and accept whatever decisions government make without questioning or being given a chance to put up a defense, all because they know to manipulate the media to work in their favour. The recent show the president put on with a few of the top brass from the Guyana Police Force is indeed interesting, but as usual, they are quick to pounce on an issue and make a lots of promises to calm the public’s nerves in a one sided way. At no time in the president’s rambling, was there any equity in his speech, but just going against the average Guyanese and without any proper mechanism to make anyone’s life safer.
Editor, before this government lost the 2015 election, there was talk of investment in traffic cameras. Some nine years later, promises continue to be fed to the public. All those years gone, I’m assuming that personnel were being trained to monitor the CCTV cameras and places were being set up to facilitate this, or, will we hear that will take another nine years after the cameras are in place? Why didn’t the President suggest that plans are in place to monitor how many hours truck drivers work per day, or even put a cap on the amount of trips they make per day, cause more trips they make, more money made and in order to accomplish that, they would have to drive at a fast rate/recklessly. In addition, we’re seeing many complaints of trucks carrying stuff and many are overweight, which is dangerous when turning at a fast rate. Many drivers have no sort of experience or training to handle heavy duty machines under pressure.
Finally Editor, a majority of Guyanese have no respect for the Guyana Police Force because, to the public’s eye, they are corrupt. Indeed, many pay their way out of problems, and ironically, in many cases, the police intimidate the victims. Minibuses are loudly playing vulgar music, overloading, overcharging and speeding. When commuters object, they are put out and if one finds the time to report it to the police, nothing comes out of the matter. Police continuously campaign against heavily tainted vehicles, whilst their vehicles are more heavily tainted. Visit any police station and see what’s taking place. One would expect the president to talk about all these issues, which is common knowledge, but instead he just conveniently talks about what he wants!
I’ve seen ambulance with flashing lights parked in a supermarket in Anna Catherina and the occupants shopping, police vehicle with flashing lights parked on roadways buying fruits and other edibles various times. Sirens blaring and lights flashing to traverse in traffic congested areas and when you reach / pass them up somewhere after, some could be seen parked chatting away. Does anyone have any vision to really go after these lawlessness to make our raodways safer?
Sincerely,
Sahadeo Bates