Chamber of Commerce breaks silence on ‘Escalating’ rate of crime in Guyana

Commissioner of Police Nigel Hoppie and Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn

The grouping of businesses that forms the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry is today expressing its concerns about the crime situation in Guyana.

A statement issued by the body on Thursday noted that the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry “notes with tremendous concern, the escalating rate of crime that is occurring in Guyana. The perpetuation of these violent crimes is of great concern to the members of the chamber as it directly impacts the welfare of the citizens and enterprises of the country” the statement from the GCCI noted.

Over the last few months, the country has seen a number of incidents where persons are being robbed in broad daylight, others being murdered, robbed and beaten.

Just two days ago, a video on social media showed a prominent businessman being stabbed and beaten in front of his family as he pulled into his driveway.

“In Particular, it has been noted that there seems to be an increasing rate of criminal activities against the business community. This has created an air of fear amongst the community in Guyana, as well as the wider citizenry” the statement pointed out.

In the case of robberies and attacks on persons who are going about their businesses, many of those incidents being brought to the public fore are captured by CCTV cameras which are mounted on private premises and in some cases the properties themselves which are being targeted by the bandits.

The GCCI is calling on the authorities to act in a manner that brings the situation under control.

“The GCCI calls on the authorities to take stern actions against the criminal elements and ramp up its campaign against crime-fighting. The Chamber continues to remain willing to assist in any way possible and continues to view itself as a partner in development and nation-building” the release from the body concluded.