One day before they cast their ballots in the 2020 General and Regional members of the disciplined forces were the subject of appeals from the two major political parties.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday at the party’s campaign headquarters, APNU+AFC Prime Ministerial Candidate Khemraj Ramjattan told the 10,226 ranks that they should return his government to office.
“We have a president whose decision-making thus far has been far superior to any of the previous presidents that we’ve had in modern times…you have to see in him somebody that is going to take care of our national security interest,” he said, adding that over the last four years the incumbent has ensured a greater comfort for the rank and file of the disciplined services.
“You make a comparison, you draw the contrasts. Our administration is far superior and that superiority has also been reflected in a decline in serious crime,” Ramjattan said.
Speaking as the Minister of Public Security who has direct oversight of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Ramjattan said that there has been more training and professionalisation of the force and a promised increase in salaries.
Other achievements he highlighted include “the promotion of gender equality, the removal upon presentation of evidence of police who have been compromised by crime and corruption, the improvement and professionalisation of criminal investigations, coordination with other law enforcement agencies such as GRA and CANU as well as improved information technology and communication systems. These technological improvements, he said include the 911 system and smart city project.
“These are important developments that have happened but one of the biggest was to ensure that the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) out of America came here and also the British Security Sector Reform being completed and ensuring that that is under implementation today,” the Minister said.
He argued that these improvements were more than was seen in the two decades prior to the APNU+AFC term in office.
“Every year we were there for the disciplined services ensuring that assets came your way. Moreover we have done major rehabilitation of police stations all across the country and we have done six brand new police stations,” he said before promising every rank access to a home.
The incumbent is not just promising access to house lots to qualifying service men and women but also access to loans and mortgages to facilitate construction.
Ramjattan was joined by former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chief of Staff Edward Collins who levied his experience as a former member of the disciplined services.
“I come to you as a member of the coalition to request your vote. [Today] is a very important day in your life, [the life of] your mothers, sons and daughters and all Guyanese. It is a decisive day; the day when you decide who you want to be your Commander in Chief. Who do you want to manage the proceeds from the oil resource and allocate those resources for the wellbeing, welfare and operational efficiency of the GDF, GPF and the Guyana Prison Service? Yes my brothers and sisters in uniform that decision begins with you,” he emphasized.
He added that each rank must make this decision alone without direction from their superiors.
“Let no amount of propaganda. No amount of promising to do or deliver or bring back should confuse your judgement be true to yourself and your family. Look around you look at your streets and their lighting. Look to your playgrounds achieving this in four years is a definite indication of how much better your life can be in five years,” he stressed.
Jagdeo
Two hours after the appeal from the incumbent, General Secretary of the main opposition, People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) made his own appeal to the ranks.
The GS, Bharrat Jagdeo, first criticized the incumbent for requesting the vote of disciplined service members as Commander in Chief rather than as a “presidential candidate”.
He said that a similar appeal made by then President Donald Ramotar was made as a Presidential Candidate rather than as the “Chief of Staff”.
Responding to claims made by Granger that the PPP/C was unfit to manage Guyana’s security, Jagdeo said “we have done this for 23 years, kept our country safe.”
“We settled a maritime boundary with Suriname….did not have an incursion and recapitalized the force and we fought off a criminal insurgency …”
According to Jagdeo this insurgency led to many innocent people being killed including policemen so if anyone is unfit to take care of Guyana’s security, it’s APNU and the PNC.
Two days earlier, PPP/C Prime Ministerial Candidate Brigadier Mark Phillips encouraged ranks to think carefully of Guyana’s future.
“The blatant disregard for the rule of law by this unconscionable government tore at the core of my professionalism as a retired public administration,” he said adding that it was this disregard for the constitution which served as a catalyst for his entry into politics.
Phillips in a five-minute video posted on the party’s facebook page promised ranks quality health care, educational opportunities, better pay, home ownership and the option to retire with dignity.
“Your conditions of service is paramount. We will provide more equipment, training and better facilities for law enforcement personnel, improve investigative and forensic capabilities; expand the use of modern technology and intelligence in the fight against crime including cybercrimes; expand the intelligence gathering and processing capability of law enforcement agencies and promote intelligence-led policing,” he stressed.
