– Foreign Minister told by Guyanese public
“Lock them up or shut up” – Foreign Minister told by Guyanese public
By Fareeza Haniff
[www.inewsguyana.com] – Vice President, Carl Greenidge has admitted that the public is tired of hearing stories of wrong doings committed by government officials under the previous People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration.
He too is of the view that no effective action has been taken by the new APNU+AFC government to reprimand those caught but at the same time, listed a number of excuses as to why the alleged wrong doers have not been charged and prosecuted, including the lack of evidence.
During his appearance on the radio programme, Hard Talk, aired on 90.1 Love FM, the Vice President, who is also the country’s Foreign Affairs Minister, was very careful about his comments on the issue, pointing out that it does not fall within his realm of responsibilities.
“There is an intention to prosecute them but the problem I think has to do with…the evidence and the lost, misplacement of evidence including the unwillingness of some people to speak, but also the weaknesses of the system,” Greenidge explained.
He criticized the prosecution service, which he opined is not doing their “work assiduously enough; giving all sorts of advice leading to non-prosecution.”
The Vice President also pointed out the lack of capacity of the Guyana Police Force and other agencies to effectively investigate and prosecute.
“The point that we’ve been making before the election is that everyone should be subject to the law. You just can’t be prosecuting the poor or those who are not well positioned and letting off your peers, those you are socially equal or those you went to school.
“And I hope not withstanding what it appears may have happened so far that that is not a hallmark of what is to unfold in future. I think there is a lot of pressure on the relevant ministers to ensure that people are prosecuted.”
He made it clear that he too has been approached by members of the public, who have expressed the desire to see some government officials behind bars.
“I keep getting approached saying look we’re not interested in hearing all those stories you have to tell, lock up some people. If they’ve done wrong, lock them up otherwise shut up.”