AFC says ‘gravely concerned’ at upsurge in crime, road fatalities

On April 4th, the AFC met western envoys at its party HQ in Kitty: From left are Mark Berman, High Commissioner, Canada (partially hidden); Cathy Hughes-AFC Chair; Jane Miller, UK High Commissioner; Khemraj Ramjattan-Leader of the AFC; Nicole Theriot, US Ambassador; Evelina Melbarzde, EU, Sherod Duncan-AFC GS.

The Alliance for Change (AFC) has expressed its discomfiture with what it sees as the rising levels of crime in the country including at state-run institutions.

In a release on Wednesday, the AFC stated that it has noted with “grave concern,” the upsurge in crime, road fatalities, domestic violence and activities “which make Guyana seemingly an insecure place.” It added that corruption – both petty and large-scale – “run riot” in Government and its various institutions.

The AFC sees all this as a state of insecurity that will be a driver for further migration to other lands of the country’s skilled and professional workers, as well as deter genuine, legitimate foreign investors. It also posited that key obstacles to getting it right in the public security sector include corruption within law enforcement and “impunity and complicity.”