Dear Editor,
The recent utterances by the PPP General Secretary and Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee once again indicate that the PPP/C is more interested in playing party politics than in managing Guyana. Two years ago Mr Rohee and his colleagues launched a vicious propaganda campaign against David Granger, when they learned he was vying for office of leader of the PNCR. During that time they were jumping on every mountain top and blowing their horns to promote their views. One of their main theories was one which said that Granger was too close to the GDF to be leader of a political party, and that retired military officers should not get involved in politics. When this line did not stick with the masses, they decided that they must quickly craft an even more desperate plot. In this new scheme of things they claimed that Mr Granger was involved in the 1973 general elections shooting of three men who were trying to prevent the GDF from removing ballot boxes. That ‘ballot box’ propaganda in relation to him also died a quick and natural death, and Mr Granger’s frank and truthful rebuttal on the issue also caused them to hang their heads in shame.
Now two years later, Mr Rohee, the incompetent minister, decided he would call the media to a press conference to announce that Mr Granger and the APNU do not like the military, and that the joint services are constantly under attack by APNU. Two years ago he and his party accused Mr Granger of being in arms with the joint services and now he is saying that Mr Granger never liked the joint services, and always criticizes the institution. Mr Granger has served almost all his adult life in the Guyana Defence Force; he gave decades of solid service, and great military leadership to this country and Mr Rohee and the powers that be should be grateful.
In fact Mr Rohee should be taking time out to learn about the security sector and how to keep Guyanese safe, since, according to him, he is not a security expert. Mr Rohee should be holding a press conference to update the public about the action the police are taking against the Finance Minister for his reckless driving episode, which resulted in an accident. Mr Rohee should be able to tell us what Dr Ashni Singh’s blood alcohol level was at the time of the accident. He should explain to us what special privileges are in place for the ministers and government officials who break the law. He must tell us why different procedures for processing government officials who break the law have been instituted. He should let us know why he thinks that PPP/C government officials should be treated as though they are above the law.
Minister Rohee should also tell us the plans he has to deal with some of the world’s most dangerous drug cartels which have become a presence here under his watch. He should explain to the nation how so much cocaine is able to pass through the Cheddi Jagan Airport undetected by local authorities. And what about the police rank involved in the Colwyn Harding alleged sodomy case? Minister Rohee must urgently call a press conference to tell us what he is doing to ensure this kind of thing never happens again. Mr Rohee should be trying to learn his job and not use taxpayers’ money to call PPP/C party press conferences to propagate lies and blow hot air. Mr Rohee and the PPP/C have failed to realize that the people are smarter than they give us credit for.
Yours faithfully,
Lurlene Nestor
