Community policing is being sabotaged by the PPP

Jul 28, 2017 Letters

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Dear Editor,
Over the past two months or so, lots of talks have been going on about the security sector and its way forward or how it is being managed. Anyway, I will surely have my say about those in follow up missives. But let me deal with some comments that are circulating on social media and the print media regarding the former PPP Minister of Home Affairs, Hon. Clement Rohee, MP, in recent times as to community policing groups in Guyana.
This MP should very well know by now that he failed this country tremendously when he was Minister of Home Affairs. Everything he did had his stamp and involvement of politics in all sector. He did all this to have everything in the palms of the PPP and to take advantage of situations. When this MP, who was a former Minister started to empower community policing it was for his party’s gains and support. I do believe that 90% of the CPG groups under this man watch were all PPP supporters and members.
Almost all of the policing groups were taking directives from him or his PPP comrades. They were instructed as to who should be arrested, sent to the police and make their life miserable. Those were people that are supporters of the then opposition.
Members of the CPGs were very active during the PPP time because of the political affiliations to the PPP. Members of CPGs were seen cleaning Freedom House and its environs at Bath and I know it happens all over the country. CPG members were used to doing political work, plastering of posters, putting up banners, setting up flags and also CPGs vehicles being used to transport people to their (PPP) village meetings and rallies and did announcements.
I can recall that this MP who was then Minister in charge of security had dealt with many matters by himself rather than to allow the police to deal with the matters. Maybe, if he is to reply he would ask me to name a few, well here is one name that comes to mind – Mr. Paul Slowe. Does this ring a bell, Mr. Rohee?
CPGs were active then because of politics in favour of PPP; they practiced such politics. Groups were seen day and night doing what they were told to do or mandated to do by Rohee and PPP. What happens all of a sudden that makes the CPGs forget their role in communities?
Today CPG members, esp. supporters of the PPP have been warned not to be active by the leadership of the party (PPP) at both the national and regional level. They were told that if they continue doing what is their mandate they will make the government and Public Security Ministry looks good.
They were warned not to get involved in protecting their communities and people, although resources are available. They were told to sit back and allow petty crimes to rock their villages because the police can’t be all over at the same time. I can recall when this government took office in 2015 in Region 5, CPGs were on top of things. In villages of Bath, Woodley Park, Bush Lot, Blairmont, Rosignol, Cotton Tree, Shieldstown, Experiment\Hope, CPG members use to march the streets as usual in their uniform and patrolling in the nights.
But all of a sudden those activities were halted by most of the groups because of political warnings and exploitative conspiracies by the PPP. Groups are hardly functioning in those areas. Why? Because the PPP activists on the ground are driving fear into the people and making all sort of problems in ensuring that the groups do not function.
It is not this government or Minister of Public Security that does not want CPGs to function but it is Mr. Rohee and his PPP cabals that don’t want to see the groups functioning. The entire PPP does not want to see Guyana moving positively forward. They are doing everything to cripple this nation because of their selfish ways, their determination to make Guyana ungovernable and to ensure that there is no proper security in place for the nation.
Mr. Rohee, you and the PPP had 23 years to better the system but no, you and your cabals did nothing to better our land. Mr. Rohee has failed as a Minister that was in charge of policing and security in our land. Those who were protected were mostly their close family, relatives, friends, associates, allies and hardcore supporters.
CPGs need to stop taking political directives and start regrouping for the betterment of their communities and our country. CPGs must get their act together and do what’s best for our communities. I call on those in charge to oversee the functioning of CPGs to move around in the fields and see that the groups are reorganised and better able to serve the people of the various communities.
Mr. Rohee and his PPP cabals need to stop taking advantage of their supporters and start thinking of Guyana as we are moving forward. Rohee and his cabals need to stop politicizing people’s lives and welfare because the PPP is no good and only want to destroy our nation. Stop the fighting PPP and let’s start uniting for a better Guyana under the APNU+AFC government.
Abel Seetaram
APNU+AFC
Regional Councillor
Region 5

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