Opposition members in law and order commission

By Mark Ramotar

MEMBERS of the National Commission on Law and Order launched yesterday at the Umana Yana in Georgetown are being urged to devise and come up with new, innovative and effective approaches to bolster the battle against the growing crime scourge plaguing Guyana.

The commission, which Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon described as basically “an advisory body”, will examine existing security policies and procedures and make pertinent recommendations to President Bharrat Jagdeo.

The broad-based body includes representatives of political and religious organisations, and members of the security forces and civil society. Following an extensive examination of existing models in other Caribbean Community countries by Cabinet, the composition, terms of reference and reporting relationships were established and approved.

The National Commission on Law and Order was set up under the national crime fighting plan President Jagdeo unveiled earlier this year and is in keeping with a decision by Caribbean Community heads of government.

Guyana is now the fifth country in the Caribbean to have launched a National Law and Order Commission, according to Assistant Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Dr Edward Greene.

The commission is headed by Home Affairs Minister, Ms Gail Teixeira, who was unable to attend yesterday’s launching after flying to deal with a broiling protest against crime on the Corentyne in Berbice.

Following is a list of the members of the Law and Order Commission and the agencies/bodies/organisations they represent:

** Mr Winston Felix -- (Guyana Police Force)
** Mr Robeson Benn -- (PPP/Civic)
** Mr Navin Chandarpal -- (PPP/Civic)
** Mr Anil Nandlall -- (PPP/Civic)
** Ms Sadie Amin -- (PPP/Civic)
** Mr Ramesh Sugrim -- (PPP/Civic)
** Mr Michael Somersall -- (PNC Reform)
** Ms Deborah Backer -- (PNC Reform)
** Mr Errol Van Nooten -- (The United Force)
** Dr Rupert Roopnaraine -- (WPA)
** Dr Dale Bisnauth -- (Ministry of Labour, Human Services)
** Mr Ganga Persaud -- (Ministry of Local Government)
** Ms Damone Young -- (Attorney General)
** Ms Jo-Ann Barlow -- (DPP)
** Mr Bertie Sukhai -- (Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha)
** Mr Abdool M. Razack -- (Central Islamic Organisation)
** Mr Gordon Hamlet -- (Guyana Council of Churches)
** Mr P. Tahal -- (Guyana Prison Service)
** Col Lawrence Paul -- (Guyana Defence Force)
** Mr Kenneth Joseph -- (FITUG)
** Mr Kishore Gobin -- (National Community Policing Executive Body)
** Mr Douglas Kirkpatrick -- (Professional Guard Services)
** Mrs Anna Lisa Fraser-Phang -- (Georgetown Chamber of Commerce)
** Mr Somat Ali -- (Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association)
** Mr Norman McLean -- (Private Sector); and
** Mr Godfrey Adams -- (GTUC)

Alluding to the composition of the commission, Dr Luncheon said the body is a “truly representative national commission” and urged the members to never lose sight of their potential.

“The twenty-six men and women who were nominated and consented to sit on this commission…we anticipate from them consistent output and a dedication to the task,” Luncheon

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, in underscoring the importance of the commission, said “the expectations are high” that the body can bring about a reduction in criminal activities in Guyana.

November 26, 2005