“Many people want me to say what happened at Lusignan and Bartica will not happen again, I say as president I cannot make that promise. I promise that the security forces will have all the money, resources, encouragement and support that they need to go after the bandits and get them.”
These were the words of President Bharrat Jagdeo at the annual tribute ceremony held yesterday at Babu John, Port Mourant in memory of the late President and founder of the People’s Progressive Party, Dr. Cheddi Jagan.
His widow and co-founder Mrs Janet Jagan was unable to be present and a message was conveyed on her behalf that persons continue to pray for the blessings of her late spouse.
Jagdeo told attendees that they had a role to play when the country is vulnerable. They should not retreat into their homes and allow fear to spread across the country since this action would be allowing the criminals to win.
He added that this year’s meeting comes at a time when a dark cloud is hanging over the country and there is the need to work aggressively and spare no effort in getting rid of this cloud. He reminded those in attendance of a famous quote by Dr. Jagan shortly before he died, “everything is gonna be all right” but said that this was not the case at the moment.
“Everything would not be alright unless we make it happen,” he urged.
Dr. Jagan, he said, stood for and believed in the struggle and was a man who never lost faith and today when faced with challenges, faith should not be lost.
Jagdeo also made reference to the apartheid system in South Africa and the struggle for independence in India and asked, “where’s the commitment to ideals in this generation?”
He urged a sense of respect for all. He said when the late president formed the party he instilled his personal virtues and beliefs that the party belonged to all Guyanese.
Jagdeo criticized the media’s coverage of certain issues in the country and told the gathering that they should not allow themselves to be confused with those, some of which he labelled as “outright ridiculous”. He said a significant part of the views expressed in the media are co-ordinated and that there was a central design to paint a particular picture of the country.
“And they all have an objective,” Jagdeo insisted.
Referring to the slayings at Lusignan and Bartica, he said “everyone would say this is the height of criminality. This psychopath, the gang of psychopaths need to be hunted down and killed. There should be no equivocation about this. A significant part of the media houses are trying to find a justification for these killings”.
Jagdeo said the only way the recent spate of killings would come to an end is if the perpetrators are apprehended or killed. However he said support was integral to the process.
Meanwhile on the matter of negotiation with criminals, Jagdeo said, “any person who could watch an innocent child sleeping and kill won’t listen to reason.”
He further stated that those persons calling for power sharing are saying that they can control these killings if they are part of the government. This, Jagdeo called “a back door way” of trying to seek power.
“Many people would like a back door way to political power, they don’t want to take elections or the democratic way,” he said.
He continued that should any government allow itself to be bullied into sharing political power then there is no democratic future for that country neither will there be a brighter future for children.
He reminded the gathering to remember the late president’s words and his struggles for the country. He urged the gathering to join community policing groups and be the eyes and ears of their community and work in collaboration with the security forces.
Jagdeo also informed those gathered at the ceremony yesterday that government is committed to moving the country forward, adding that for this year a $100M fund has been established for single parent households, particularly single mothers.
He also added that the Berbice River Bridge will soon be completed and will bring many opportunities to the region.
Also present at the tribute ceremony were Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and PPP General Secretary Donald Ramotar who both gave moving tributes.
Yesterday’s ceremony featured a packed programme and one of the highlights was a recital of Dr. Jagan’s quotes by several students.
Earlier, wreaths were laid at the memorial site.
The ceremony was well attended and also included government ministers and prominent PPP supporters.
