FITUG calls out Ramjattan on poor ministerial performance

The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) on Wednesday expressed its disappointment at the conduct of Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan who is well-known for his unexpected public outbursts.
According to the Union, they were taken aback by the Minister’s conduct during a recent press conference, where he lacked basic knowledge on the ideas to address the pending prison situation. With dangerous criminals on the loose and an unstable penitentiary, the Union stated that it is not something to be taken lightly.
“We cannot help but wonder whether his colleagues do not offer him any cautionary advice about his conduct when in the view of the public… The Minister went on to share that he has headaches in coming up with suggestions to address with the clearly serious prison situation. This is not something the Guyanese people want to hear at this time,” the Union said.
The focus was also placed on the retrenched sugar workers who are still facing hardships to earn a living and provide for their families. Adding to that, criminal activities are also on the rise.
“Just days prior to the Minister’s admission, the Guyana Police Force statistics indicated a less than pleasing picture. From those statistics, we learnt that robbery is still prevalent. We cannot help but wonder, at this time, in what other areas is the Minister out of ideas,” FITUG stated.
They further stated that under the guidance of Ramjattan, the Camp Street Prison was ravaged in a fire and many high-profile criminals had escaped. Adding to that, there were two breakouts at the Lusignan penitentiary.
“When one looks at the situation during the Minister’s stint, we recognise that under his watch the nation witnessed several prison riots, the burning down of the Camp Street penitentiary, the escape of prisoners on more than one occasion, increased robberies and banditry, among other things.”
While Minister of State Joseph Harmon had made some inputs into the current state of affairs, officials of FITUG stated, and from him, “we learnt, at this time, the Public Security Minister is consulting with knowledgeable persons to assist him with some ideas. It puzzles us why is it in the first place, didn’t the Minister seek to consult with capable persons rather than having to get an order, so to speak, from the Cabinet to do so.”
Suggestions were made for the Public Security Minister to “give serious contemplations” as to whether or not he is fit to fulfil his respective responsibilities in “a most serious area of governance.”
The entity voiced its concerns by saying that if interventions are not taken, “he (Ramjattan) may want to entertain his idea getting on a boat and anchoring it somewhere in the ocean as he suggested be done with the incarcerated.”