“Pure recklessness” – President Ali calls for strategy amid alarming road accidents

…lauds outstanding police work on social issues

Startling reports of accidents and carnage on Guyana’s roadway has been addressed by President Dr Irfaan Ali on Thursday, who characteriSed these actions as ‘pure recklessness’ as he called for strategies to bring the numbers down.

The Head of State delivered his address at the Annual Police Officers’ Conference under the theme: ‘Improve Partnership, Human Development and Accountability to Enhance Service Delivery’, sounding for a massive education campaign countrywide.
“It is also pure recklessness and stupidity from those who risk their lives and families. More importantly, putting other families’ lives as risk with their reckless behaviour. This must stop!” Ali voiced.
Speaking on existing legislation to curb drunk driving, the Guyanese Leader noted that these must be enforced and with urgency.
“This must get special attention at this Officers’ Conference. We passed legislation to make bar owners and bartenders accountable also, not just the drivers. There is a clear guideline in bars where announcement must be made in relation to serving alcohol to drivers. We must implement this legislation.”
With the aid of technology along the recently completed Mandela to Eccles roadway, President Ali shared that scores of infractions are picked up daily.
He disclosed, “Every day, with the aid of technology, we have hundreds of infractions. A modern society is not only built on modern infrastructure. It is one where people think better, act better and behave better.”
Last year, the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2022 was passed, aimed at toughening existing laws to prevent drunk driving and the carnage on the road it results in. Amendments were also initiated to the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Bill with a view to toughening up the penalties for drunk drivers – and the bars that serve them.

Admirable
Meanwhile, the Guyana Police Force is currently on the heels of rebranding, modernising and transforming its operations, to achieve the vision of a well-oiled machinery. The Head of State lauded the admirable leadership and approach to societal issues over the past year.
“The Guyana Police Force has been working with my administration to fashion a modern, diversified and accountable organization. It has made significant strides over the past year.”
“I am most impressed with the outstanding work the Guyana Police Force has done in the last year, in championing social issues. You see officers and their ranks painting medians, painting roadways, building houses, delivering hampers, cleaning drains, walking in community, talking to every section of the Guyanese people is most admirable,” he commended.
In a rapidly changing environment, Ali reemphasized that law enforcement needs to stay relevant in order to operate optimally.
“One crime is too much for us. That is not to say that we have positioned the Force now in a manner that we are free from all the perception or realities that has affected the public assessment of what we do and do not…Challenges are there. Confronting challenges requires a proactive, thinking organization, not a reactive, passive organization.”
In his address, it was also recognized that national development rests on the security architecture of a country. Referring to police officers as foremost ambassadors in the One Guyana initiative, Ali said they have what it takes to operate in a modern and relevant law enforcement apparatus that protects all citizens.
The annual three-day Police Officers’ Conference will conclude on Saturday. (G12)