Latest update January 1st, 2025 1:00 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Trotman quits Parliamentary Committee on Security

May 26, 2011 News

Alliance for Change Member of the Parliamentary committee on National Security, Raphael Trotman, has resigned because the party wants Government to facilitate people in stress. It is also questioning where the country is in relation to ethnic animosity since independence.
At its weekly media briefing, yesterday, the AFC also expressed support for descendants of the original Victoria residents’ quest for recognition of the historic contribution to Guyana by their ancestors; commented on ‘spiraling crime’; condemned the arrest of a visiting American Islamic cleric; and expressed further concern with the Guyana Elections Commission.
Mr Trotman’s resignation from the committee stemmed from the arrest and detention last week of Nation of Islam, Minister Akbar Muhammad, and two companions. The men were released the following day with no charges brought against them.
Mr Muhammad said that the police repeatedly questioned him and colleagues about their political affiliations while they were held at the Brickdam Police Station.
Reading from an AFC statement on the incident, Mr Trotman described the incident as ‘personally painful and nationally embarrassing’, and said these arrests have implications for preservation and protection of the rule of law and human rights.
“This nation has gone through episodes of oppression, and relative freedom, but the continuing propensity of this PPP regime to target, stain and even destroy good citizens of Guyana, and now even foreigners, without a hint of remorse, or conscience, is a sure sign that we have returned to a dark period of repression.”
The committee from which Mr Trotman announced his resignation was established to oversee national security and threats to the country.
The AFC parliamentarian said that his resignation was symbolic of dissatisfaction with abuses by the administration in the name of security. “It’s an act of protest … we are not encouraged that we will  be seeing any change soon.”
Commenting on the effectiveness of him quitting the committee, he said “The fact that one person could stand up, some persons could stand up, it would make a difference.”
The AFC leader said that being on the committee gives the impression that he, as a member, knows of security concerns, but that is not the case. He added that if the action against the three men was in the name of security, he did not care to be part of that committee anyhow.
“We are not going to be lumped with that,” he said.
Member of Parliament, Sheila Holder, expressed condolences to the parents of the two children who died Tuesday in a fire at their home in Dazzell Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara.
She noted the conditions of abject poverty the family was living in despite the parents doing their best to survive. “There ought not to be that level of suffering and deprivation in our society.”
Fellow Member of Parliament David Patterson added, “It’s appalling the conditions they were living under, and then we see PPP presidential candidate Donald Ramotar smiling [in a newspaper photograph] and saying ‘let the progress continue’”.
The party pledged to render assistance to the grieving parents. The AFC commented on the wider socio-economic situation affecting Guyana where crime is not only as a result of trafficking and consumption of drugs, but also by high levels of alcohol consumption, and stress factors brought on by challenges of economic survival facing Guyanese.
He said the party believes that Guyana holds the potential to achieve the AFC’s stated goals but these objectives cannot be achieved if the ‘most competent and incorruptible’ persons are not placed in leadership positions.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Keevin Allicock – the next torchbearer for Guyanese professional boxing

Keevin Allicock – the next torchbearer for Guyanese professional...

Dec 31, 2024

By Rawle Toney Kaieteur Sports- In the rich tapestry of Guyanese sports, few names shine as brightly as Keevin Allicock. A prodigious talent with the rare blend of skill, charisma, and grit, Allicock...
Read More
Guyana Harpy Eagles begin Fitness Preparation for 2025 CWI Regional Four-Day Tournament

Guyana Harpy Eagles begin Fitness Preparation for...

Dec 31, 2024

The business end has arrived, a place in the final is at stake tomorrow night

The business end has arrived, a place in the...

Dec 31, 2024

Thirteen-year-old benefits from Project “Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana”

Thirteen-year-old benefits from Project...

Dec 31, 2024

Milerock stop Winners Connection 9-3 behind Drakes 5 goal spree, Botafago humble Capital Fc 8-3

Milerock stop Winners Connection 9-3 behind...

Dec 31, 2024

Dharry reigns supreme with second-round KO against Ramirez

Dharry reigns supreme with second-round KO...

Dec 30, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]