Dear Editor,
The terrible road accident at Friendship, East Bank Demerara, that claimed the precious lives of those five people on October 15, 2019, is indeed very sad. After viewing the surveillance camera footage, it is clear that the driver of the private car was not at fault. I was looking at the accident and thinking with a shudder that it could have easily been myself and family in that private car on that fateful day.
This was something that was waiting to happen. I have heard countless experiences by drivers who encounter these blazing fast outriders. Here in Berbice, a close friend of mine and a popular businessman, was telling me some time back when Mr David Granger visited Region Six, Corentyne, how he was almost forced off of the road in his attempt to avoid a collision with one of the outriders that was travelling at a dangerously high rate of speed with absolutely no concern for other road users. What is the reason for these officers and convoys to be driving at this high rate of speed? What is the urgency? Is someone usually on life support in the presidential convoys and needs to get quickly to the hospital? It makes absolutely no sense at all. We the good citizens of Guyana have summed up that it is just for publicity, to give us all a sense that “he” is around. Take your time please, drive carefully and try not to kill more innocent people.
I now wish to draw your attention to another horrific incident in Berbice in which two bodies were found, two others are missing and presumed dead. This was a few days before the road accident that sadly claimed those five precious lives. However, neither the President nor any of his Ministers visited to extend condolences to the grieving relatives of the boat incident, nor, to a lesser extent, offered monetary help.
The police are here for the protection of the citizens of this country at all times and they are doing a great job in spite of bad conditions. They are not employed to guard a single person (who is in no risk of being hurt) in all conceivable directions.
Sincerely,
Shane Lindie
