Opposition should support Anti-Gang Bill

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5 Minutes Ago

THE ARIMA Business Association (ABA) has expressed its disapproval of the Opposition’s refusal to support the Anti-Gang (Amendment) Bill 2020.

In a statement, president Reval Chattergoon said the association was utterly disappointed at the Opposition’s decision to abstain from extending the 2018 legislation for an additional 30 months.

He said businesses were already facing harsh financial times and a bleak Christmas because of covid19, and would now have to take on additional security or curb operating hours for the season because of crime.

He asked, “Is it the Opposition’s agenda, for the next local government election or general election, to say that the current government did nothing to help reduce crime? Is it that crime does not affect their loved ones or the communities they represent?

“One would expect the Opposition to put politics aside and support the Government on the extension of the life of the Anti-Gang Act in a continued attempt to curb the consistent rise in gang-related crime. This piece of legislation is a most useful tool in the hands of the National Security Agencies against the criminal element.” Chattergoon said.

He said the police Northern Division, in which Arima falls, has had the highest crime statistics over the last seven years, and the ABA has worked with the police to secure resources and served on various committees, community groups and watch groups to make Arima safer.

It had “championed” the call for business people and others to be granted firearm users’ licences.

“It now is disheartening to see that the welfare, safety, and security of our citizens are being trumped by aspirations of gaining political mileage, seemingly with the hope of increasing crime statistics and criminality in our society,” he said.

Chattergoon added that the lack of support for the extension to the gang legislation comes only three months after the Opposition campaigned for responsible governance in the general election campaign, “yet they act in a most irresponsible manner.”

The sssociation viewed the defeat of the bill as “a slap in the face not only to Arima but to the entire country,” he said. “We urge all our politicians to put country first and make decisions in the best interest of our nation and its citizens.” He reminded them that the election was over and those elected to the Parliament must keep in minds their responsibility to citizens “and to represent the people to the best of their abilities as legislators…

“This is a time for nationalism, patriotism and unity. Let good sense prevail,” Chattergoon said, warning all politicians that citizens are looking on and keeping check.