Special unit to tackle ‘drug houses’- President announces in New Year address
Guyana Chronicle
January 1, 2005
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo says Guyana must continue the fight against narco-trafficking and officials have to go after ‘drug houses’ and those who sell narcotics in communities.
In his New Year’s address to the nation, he said the dealers are often known by members of the community and can thus be identified.
“I intend to establish a special unit to tackle this problem”, he said.
Here is the text of the address:
“A Happy New Year to all of you. We enter this New Year, 2005 with excitement and anticipation. We greet the New Year with great expectations for our families and country.
On this festive occasion, allow me to extend best wishes to all Guyanese – those living here, those overseas and those who are visiting. It is my hope that as a nation we will continue to enjoy peace and happiness throughout the New Year
The beginning of a New Year is a time for reflection, assessment and planning, a time to determine priorities, goals and objectives. It is also a time for making resolutions to effect changes in our lives. Over the next few hours, over the next few days, I hope all Guyanese will engage in deep personal introspection and decide what you wish to accomplish this year.
This very process takes place at the national level. Plans for the government’s programmes for the year 2005 are well advanced. In the weeks ahead, you will be learning more about them. These plans will move us closer to the achievement of our vision for Guyana, a vision of a modern, democratic society with guaranteed individual freedoms; a Guyana in which there are abundant economic opportunities, high standards of health care and education; a Guyana in which families can be raised under conditions of personal safety; a society that is tolerant and that cherishes and respects all of its people.
If we wish to achieve this vision, life for every Guyanese must become a process of continuous improvement. What we are satisfied with today must be improved upon tomorrow; the bar must be constantly raised to a higher level.
Over the past Christmas season, I could not help but be moved by the happiness radiating from the faces of our children. In their enthusiasm and in the love and pride shown by parents, I see a secure and bright future, one filled with endless possibilities.
My wish at the start of another New Year is that all Guyanese would work towards strengthening the bonds of family life. We may not always be able to provide all the material comforts needed in our homes, but in a family where there is love and understanding, is to be found contentment and lasting happiness.
While we have our problems at home, these pale in comparison with the massive loss of lives and property caused by natural disasters in many parts of the world. Although not a rich country, we have managed to avoid ethnic and civil strife, famine, extreme poverty, child and gender exploitation, which afflict millions and cause untold suffering throughout the world. This is something we should appreciate more and be thankful for. May 2005 usher in an era of peace and prosperity for all the people of the world who live under difficult circumstances.
Over the past few days, we have all viewed with horror the terrible scenes of death and destruction experienced in Asia by the effects of a Tsunami. We all extend heartfelt sympathies to the peoples affected by this disaster.
The tragedies of the past week are a sobering reminder that this journey we undertake in life is filled with varying experiences - those of joy and laughter and those of tears and grief. Our ability to live happy and fulfilling lives is determined by how we deal with both our triumphs and disappointments. May every obstacle become an opportunity for self-growth and each triumph inspire us to further success.
Over the past year, Guyana has continued on the road to progress. The journey has not been easy but the foundations we laid over the years have made our economy less vulnerable to both external and internal shocks. The resilience of our economy is a good sign.
We have to consolidate these gains by continuing to practise sound fiscal and monetary management and by attracting even more foreign and local investment.
There was a time in the past when Guyana consumed more than it produced and expended more revenues than it generated. In order to sustain that lifestyle, our country was forced into unsustainable borrowing, leaving this generation of policymakers and Guyanese with an onerous burden that weighs heavily on our backs and dreams.
I want to promise you that my administration will continue to manage this country, as we have done over the past years, in such a way that our children and their children will never again be left with such a burden.
In keeping with our plans to improve our educational standards, provide better health facilities, improve our sea defences, provide decent housing, ensure safe and potable water to communities, create more gainful employment for our people and generally to improve the well-being of Guyanese, several projects have been undertaken by the government. But the task is not complete. We cannot rest until every Guyanese owns his or her own home, has access to high quality education and health care, and enjoys the basic necessities, including electricity and water. I invite all Guyanese to work with my government in accomplishing these objectives.
The government has dedicated a great deal of resources to ensure better access to infrastructure and improved services. Despite the gains made, I am deeply concerned about certain things that are happening in our country.
As I move around Guyana, I continue to receive complaints about the unresponsiveness of some government functionaries towards members of the public; delays in the ferry services, the long waiting times at some public health institutions and flooding because of negligence.
I have encountered pensioners who have been waiting for years to receive their waivers from the payment of water rates, for which they are eligible. I have heard endless woes about the inadequate supply of water, despite my government spending millions in that sector. The solutions to many of these problems are simple. Yet, because of the unconscionable behaviour on the part of a few individuals, many are forced to suffer great inconvenience and deprivations.
Just recently public servants, teachers and others in a few regions who are paid from the Treasury did not receive their wages and salaries before the Christmas season. Why should so many people be disadvantaged because a few did not do their duty? This disservice must be reduced or eradicated this year. I am also concerned when I learn of reports about the police not responding in a timely manner when crimes are in progress. I know that in all of these sectors, there are hardworking employees whose efforts are not given due recognition because of the lackadaisical attitude of their peers. In this New Year, we must resolve to fix these problems.
I am deeply concerned when many poor parents are forced to purchase textbooks that are not necessary and made to pay for services that should be provided free. I have instructed the Minister of Education to investigate these complaints and to take action where necessary.
While I am pleased that more cases of child abuse are coming to light, the number of these cases troubles me. We must be tough on those who spoil the dreams of our children. All Guyanese must become intolerant to this form of abuse.
We need to continue the fight against narco-trafficking. However, we need to go after “drug houses” and those who sell narcotics in our communities. They are often known by members of the community and can thus be identified. I intend to establish a special unit to tackle this problem.
Crime fighting remains a top priority of my administration. I have already indicated to the Commissioner of Police that I will spare no resource in equipping the Guyana Police Force with the tools needed to combat crime. The police however cannot do it alone; they need the support of all communities
Sometimes we fail to recognise the invaluable contribution of our young people. There is an excessive tendency to link our young people with anti-social activities - HIV/AIDS, teenage pregnancies and drug addiction - while ignoring the important contribution they make in all aspects of national life. This year, let us pay more attention to our young people. Let us ensure that they are provided with more opportunities, better recreation, and let us seek to stimulate that enterprising ethic which is a characteristic of youth.
In 2005, let us also resolve to give a bit more to help the vulnerable within our society - the poor and the differently abled - and in so doing create a more caring and compassionate society.
For 2005, we will enhance efforts towards ensuring that the foundations of a free and democratic society remain intact. The government will continue to support Parliament as the highest deliberative forum in the land. We will continue to promote and defend freedom of the press and the independence of the judiciary as indispensable parts of our democracy. The Executive will continue to work in a transparent and accountable manner.
In 2005, we will continue to work to raise the profile of Guyana within the international community of nations. Today, Guyana joins the Bureau of the Rio Group and will have the distinction of chairing this body next year. As always, Guyana remains a committed member of CARICOM with good relations with the individual member states of this regional grouping as well as with our neighbours. Traditionally, we have had close ties with countries in CARICOM, North America and Europe. However, we have begun to diversify our relations while strengthening ties with our traditional friends. I am pleased with our growing standing in Latin America and our expanding economic ties with Brazil, China, Russia and India, the benefits from which will be felt in the economy this year.
I look forward to working with all stakeholders in our society to implement our plans for 2005 and to create a better and more prosperous Guyana.
Whether the New Year breaks you at a party, in church, at home, in the interior, sick in hospital or whether you are a policeman, nurse, doctor, fireman or soldier on duty, I urge all to enjoy these first moments of what I believe will be a significant year for all Guyanese.
A Happy and Peaceful New Year to All!”