By Kurt Campbell
[www.inewsguyana.com]– A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has renewed its call for Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee to be fired.
According to Opposition Leader, David Granger the deaths of three children from one family in a road
accidents on the Corentyne Coast last Wednesday should be a warning to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Guyana Police Force that the road traffic situation is out of control.
“Change is needed,” Granger told reporters on Friday (June 13).
He recalled that the National Assembly, in a marathon debate on July 30, 2012, passed a resolution of no-confidence in Rohee and in his ability to exercise responsibility for human safety as Minister of Home Affairs.The resolution called on the President Donald Ramotar to revoke Rohee’s appointment but was not done.
“Clement Rohee has been Minister of Home Affairs for nearly eight years and the human safety situation in Guyana has deteriorated. Fatal road accidents occur weekly. Other forms of lawlessness – including armed robberies, arson, banditry, contraband smuggling, gun-running, money-laundering, narcotics-trafficking, piracy, police brutality and corruption – have continued on a daily basis during Clement Rohee’s tenure of office,” Granger said.
He observed that road accidents are a grave human safety problem.
“There have been 57 deaths for 2014 already. There were 569 deaths over the five-year period.”
Between 2009 – 2013, Granger explained that the biggest contributory factors to fatalities have been the lack of effective ministerial direction, lax law-enforcement and dangerous driving habits.
“There are now more than 80,000 vehicles on Guyana’s roads. Some drivers, however, simply do not have the skill or experience to be entrusted with responsibility for human lives on public roads. Many drive recklessly or at unsafe speeds and display aggressive behaviour and poor road discipline. Too many persons drive under the influence of alcohol.”
The Opposition Leader pointed out too that the Guyana Police Force exerts its energies on arresting hundreds of petty offenders and touts; adding that these actions cannot stop the spiraling toll of fatalities.
“Such operations do not address the fundamental causes of fatalities.”
In this regard, the Partnership repeats its demand for President Donald Ramotar to revoke the appointment of Clement Rohee as Minister of Home Affairs.
The Opposition Leader said responsibility for human safety must be placed in the hands of a Minister who has the interest in curtailing the road carnage and in making our roads safer.
Mr Granger how do you control bad driving habits?
Mr Granger how to you control driving under the influence of alcohol?
Give some suggestions Sir.
I know I can throw all the drunk drivers in jail and educate the ones with bad habits. Fine them heavily or ban them for life. Is this the solution you seek?
Mr Granger as Opposition Leader, you have opposed everything ‘Rohee’. You did not give an ounce of cooperation so far. Give the guy a chance so he can do his job. Pass the Bills he presented to control crime, if he failed, then you have just cause. To this end, so far you have failed!
Please remember Sir, If you are not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem.