Eddie Boyer asks Minister Ramjattan to relax the 2:00 am curfew

Dec 25, 2016 Letters

Dear Minister,
The Private Sector Commission has had several meetings with operators from the entertainment industry about the 2:00 am curfew. These operators have booked overseas artistes to perform during the season and face significant difficulties if the curfew is kept in place.
We are therefore appealing to you, for a relaxation of the 2:00am curfew from Christmas Eve to New Year’s as was done for the holiday season last year. This would not only be a relief to the operators but would also allow revelers, especially Guyanese and tourists who are visiting from abroad, to fully enjoy the experience.
We would like to thank you in anticipation of your kind consideration.

Yours sincerely,
Eddie Boyer Chairman

Response to Eddie Boyer

Dear Eddie,
Thanks for your letter dated December 21st, 2016.
Your call for the relaxation of the 2 am curfew from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day is noted.
I wish to say something however on the grounds upon which this call is made.
Firstly, you give the impression that because I granted a relaxation in 2015 that this necessarily means I should do it again and probably every Christmas hereafter. I want to make it clear that in 2015 it was a one-off, especially for the first year of our new administration.
Secondly, you give the impression that because Operators have booked artistes to perform and revelers from overseas need to enjoy the experience of early mornings in watering holes in Guyana that again in 2016 there would be this relaxation. Well I did indicate to all the Operators my attitude towards this 2 am curfew during the course of this year. It must be strictly upheld and the reason being it is the law of the land!
If I were to tell you that a thousand shoppers would like to take credit at National Hardware to buy gifts for their children at this Christmas/New Year period, and that they are requesting you relax your law of commerce that payments be made not now but in 2017 March instead, I certainly feel you would run me over!
There is another implication when relaxation of the law is requested by powerful businessman like yourself and those in the Private Sector Commission. It begins a slide into a slippery slope, it becomes an unruly horse and logically there can be no end to it. You and your team may soon call for a relaxation of the Tax regulations… say VAT!
This certainly is not how a law-governed state should execute its business. And even if you argue that we are not yet a law-governed state, certainly compromising on the enforcement of our laws on a seasonal basis or on the basis of the request coming from businessmen will never take us there.
Eddie, I want to inform you that I have gotten a number of calls from especially religious leaders and some organizations opposing your views on this relaxation call.
So I am placed in this extremely difficult situation where I have to make the call. Indeed, I had determined that for bringing in the New Year 2017, that Old Year’s night will be relaxed. This was easy to do. But from Christmas Eve to then?
Having said all of that, the call has to be made.
I will relent, and convey to the appropriate authorities that there is a relaxation of the 2 am curfew during this Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day period.
All other laws especially drinking and driving will be thoroughly enforced. Expect more policemen outside of these watering holes.
Further, this is to notify that the 2 am curfew will be upheld in 2017 and I will not be this compromising again.
Khemraj Ramjattan

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