The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has condemned a statement made by President David Granger in which he noted that Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, should not be blamed for last Sunday’s fire that destroyed the Camp Street Prison and a conflagration at the same penitentiary in March 3, 2016.
The President’s comments were part of an interview he gave to the State newspaper and published on Friday.
In a strongly worded statement, the PPP said the President’s comments were “irresponsible” and reminded that 17 prisoners were killed during the 2016 fire and a prison officer lost his life following last Sunday’s uprising, while some of his colleagues were injured. That incident also resulted in a number of inmates escaping, five of whom at this point in time, remain on the run.
The Party said that “these horrific incidents occurred under the President’s stewardship with the latest precipitated from his government’s failure to implement the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry he established to probe the March 16th incident, among other things.”
See their full statement below:
The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) forthrightly condemns a statement made by President David Granger in which he noted that Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, should not be blamed for last Sunday’s fire that completely destroyed the Georgetown Prison and a conflagration at the same penitentiary in March 3rd, 2016.
The President’s comments were part of an interview he gave to the state newspaper, the Guyana Chronicle and carried in its July 14th, 2017 edition.
The PPP wishes to remind the country that seventeen prisoners were killed during the 2016 fire and a Prison Officer lost his life following last Sunday’s uprising while some of his colleagues were injured. That incident also resulted in a number of inmates escaping and who, at this point in time, remain on the run.
These horrific incidents occurred under the President’s stewardship with the latest precipitated from his government’s failure to implement the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry he established to probe the March 16th incident, among other things.
It is against this background that the PPP finds the President’s comments as irresponsible, deplorable and one which lacks any notion of sensitivity to the unspeakable fear that has gripped the country.
More so, it is an insult to the intelligence of Guyanese and a callous attempt to absolve himself and his Administration from any semblance of blame, not only from these incidents, but for the ineptitude in governance that continues unabated since the coalition took office in May 2015.
The PPP is not oblivious of government’s obsession to shirk from its responsibility and blame everyone else, including our Party, for the unacceptable state of affairs the country has been plunged into.. It appears that the coalition government is obsessed with passing blame in an effort to mask its lack of vision and inability to manage the affairs of the State.
The excuse of a lack of funds for important national endeavours, including Prison Reform, is most laughable when billions were, and are being spent on non-priority areas including, Jubilee Park, a green fence at the Ministry of the Presidency and extravagant overseas travel.
The PPP therefore urges the government to stop shifting blame and to take responsibility for the consequences of its incompetence.
Despite the valiant efforts of the men and women of the security forces, the seemingly unrivaled incompetence of the Granger-led government continues to put the security of Guyana and Guyanese in jeopardy. The prevailing fear and uncertainty will further exacerbate the distressing economic situation with devastating consequences for all.
