If this is not lawlessness, then what is?

Jan 14, 2011 Letters

Dear Editor,
Guyana is being labeled by many as the most lawless country per capita in the region. In fact, some members of the diaspora brazenly boast that when they want to “cut loose”, they come back home. Even if they are caught, they can pay their way out of trouble.
In Guyana we are greeted daily by drivers of vehicles, particularly in public transportation, driving through red lights, not stopping at major roads, racing on the roads, straddling the centre line on the roads, unkempt bus drivers, etc, etc.
People live in fear of criminals who seem to attack anytime, anywhere and with seeming impunity. And, as usual, the Police hardly catch them.
Contractors do shoddy work, but are still given bigger contracts, either by shifting from Region to Region or using “fronts” to gain the contracts. Many persons employed in public offices are compromised and it appears that the more you are linked to questionable acts, the faster you are promoted.
Trying to find an (near) equal number of positive events is like searching in a maze. Very often, those who are inclined to walk the straight and narrow are seen as weird. Thus, the negatives appear to outnumber the positives.
Currently, two Government Ministers, Minister Benn and Minister Lall, are tasked with putting some order to the Stabroek square vending and they are attracting the ire of many, simply because they want to stop lawlessness in that area.
For those who do not know or wish to remain in denial mode, the Stabroek Market shacks provided a haven for many criminal and illegal activities.
Some of those places were even used as “short-time” rooms. Over 15 robberies a day were reported as being committed in the area, let alone unreported incidents.
Did it have to take a killing by a grenade to clean the place? Apparently so, because “squatting” in the area had been going on for decades to the extent that permanent structures were erected, despite a court ruling to the contrary.
If this is not lawlessness, then what is?
Many would prefer that the Stabroek Square to be void of vending. However, if the powers that be are more accommodating, then specific parameters should be set for vending, and be enforced. Unfortunately, this is where the lawlessness will escalate; those who are tasked with enforcing the law are often times compromised; more lawlessness.
Despite the best intentions of ANY administration, many Guyanese will simply break the law or turn a blind eye when it is being broken. But those same people will migrate to North America and respect the laws over there.
That is Guyanese for you: LAWLESS!
So, Honourable Ministers, do what you must!
T. Jadunauth

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