The PPP government continues to show its unrivalled support for incompetence and demonstrate its blatant disregard for the safety and security of Guyanese, as it remains steadfast in retaining the services of the current Home Affairs Minister, Mr. Clement Rohee. Through its chief spokesperson Roger Luncheon, this PPP-led government has made it clear that it is prepared to “rumble” with the opposition over the removal of the Home Affairs Minister. The government’s unfortunate position with regard to this embattled minister is causing severe tensions among sections of the Guyanese society that have all lost confidence in that minister’s ability, to efficiently and effectively handle the security affairs of this country.

The protest in Agricola last Thursday that caused severe hardships to commuters for over five hours is unfortunate. Agricolans are frustrated by the apparent selective treatment being given to the lone police officer arrested in the killing of their innocent teenage resident Shaquille Grant. And Luncheon’s comments on ‘rumbling’ with the opposition regarding the Home Affairs Minister only added to the disquiet of Agricolans.

It is indeed sad that many citizens had to be severely inconvenienced because a community can only garner the attention of a government giddy with arrogance, through protest action. Guyanese must understand the plight of the people of Agricola. They must not be quick to vilify the protesters of Agricola, Linden or any other depressed area significantly populated with Black people.

It is time for all Guyanese to be very concerned with the reckless inactions of the government that refuses to govern in a fair and just manner. To date the government is yet to condemn the attacks on citizens in Linden, the killing of Shaquille Grant of Agricola, and Dameon Belgrave from Pouderoyen, except for mild statements by the Home Affairs Ministry. Yet many Guyanese and admirers of the PPP have taken to the various social media outlets to express their condemnation of the actions of Agricolans. This ugly hypocrisy that many Guyanese manifest with regard to this government’s political machinations, if continued, will be to their own tragedy. Those who are comfortable with the status quo must be wary of its very fragile nature.

Many have argued and will argue that the actions last Thursday at Agricola were uncalled for and unnecessary. The hardships many faced heading home after a hard day of work and school is unfortunate and regrettable. Never should Guyanese support the blocking of roads and the harming of citizens as they get about their daily tasks. However, when volatile communities are fed a menu of governmental pomposity and arrogance along with serving of inflammatory rhetoric, as is the case with Agricola and the Luncheon theatre; situations like last Thursday will occur.

While the struggle at Agricola was in progress, leading members of the PPP government were on national television pointing fingers and blaming the opposition for the unrest at Agricola. The Alliance for Change (AFC) was seen as the chief culprit. Is it not sad that instead of a government focusing on good governance, and governing in the best interest of all its people, it wastes time finger pointing and blaming others for its problems? Then again Guyanese cannot and must not expect anything better from this PPP government, especially if it sees its most incompetent minister who has attracted a parliamentary no-confidence vote, to be its best minister.

The Home Affairs Minister must be removed immediately and significant police reform must be realized. No more must Guyanese put up with a corrupt and murderous police force that kills innocent citizens and lie to the public to cover its misdeeds. The PPP government must also be aware that it has set the tone for a showdown with the majority of the citizens of this country who voted for the combined opposition. Round one took place at Agricola. One must wonder how many rounds Roger and his PPP camp are ready for.