TIGI exposed a disposition to ignore historical facts

Dear Editor,
The Transparency Institute Guyana Inc (TIGI) released a statement on the current crime situation and local responses to the situation – and in doing so TIGI exposed a disposition to ignore historical facts and the multiplicity of views that have been expressed on the matter by recognised local activists.
TIGI contends that, “To put crime into perspective, we need to view trends over long periods. Show trends over, say the last ten or twenty years, disaggregating the data in various ways to provide more meaningful overviews. TIGI would be more than happy to lend a hand if necessary… this will bring the needed transparency to the murky and untrustworthy crime statistics.”
Statistics, in the absence of context, unfortunately, will not support the development and implementation of crime prevention plans.
It was Eusi Kwayana, who noted in his book ‘The Morning After’, that the crime wave, which marked parts of the last two decades, represented “a criminal political movement.” His book, not only documented criminal activities, but also brought into focus some “known masterminds” who were integrally involved and who had precursory knowledge of the arming of youths in Buxton. The book also detailed public statements made by political leaders like former President Desmond Hoyte and he drew the nexus between crime and actions that capitalized on the racial-political divide in Guyana. It was Kwayana who recorded for posterity the fact that it was Hoyte who expressed the PNCR’s full solidarity with gun-wielding during those periods.
According to TIGI, “No government of Guyana has been able to stop crime in the last twenty years, hence, no contemporary Guyanese politician or political party can sincerely lay claim to the solution to crime.”
The organisation again ignores facts, specifically that it was the former People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government that guided Guyana through a period of violent crimes, secured international support and were the stewards under which normalcy was restored to this country.
A major crime fighting tool, currently being implemented by the APNU/AFC Government, is the PPP/C negotiated Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP).
While TIGI has determined the culpability of the political Opposition “given the satire and rhetoric” via comments made, the organisation in the same breath acknowledges that Guyanese “are terrified by the apparent resurgence of robberies of businesses and home invasions given the attendant propensity for brutality and murder” across the nation. As a representative of thousands of average Guyanese, the PPP/C not only stands proud of its record of bringing the country back from the grip of criminals, but will also continue voice concerns on issues affecting our people and advocate for the Government to deliver on the crime solutions it so touted before taking office.
On TIGI’s specific points of violent crimes, the prevailing circumstances during which crimes were committed over the last two decades and the declining crime rates under the PPP/C administration, attest to the efforts of the former PPP/C administration.
With reference to TIGI’s claims of white collar crimes such as corruption, over 40 plus forensic audits commissioned by APNU/AFC have turned up no evidence that could be used to advanced court proceedings. The Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, has repeated on multiple occasions that if persons, part of the former PPP/C administration, are guilty of offences they must face the music.
That said, it must be noted that TIGI had deemed the actions of Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, and by extension the Government, as reflective of corruption – on the matter relative to BaiShanLin. And on this occasion, a meeting was sought with Minister Harmon to secure his explanation.
On the multiple occasions that TIGI has been critical of the former PPP/C administration, there was no offer for a meeting with then Government officials to secure an explanation or ensure that contextual pronouncements were made in the past.
Indeed, much has been printed in the dailies in recent months about the level of violent crimes, and the problem at hand demands an acknowledgement of the problem, clear guidelines on what has worked and solidly formulated policies moving forward – a undertaking that must see stakeholder involvement.

Regards,
Todd A Morgan