`… let it be known here and now that we will not be intimidated’

President Irfaan Ali yesterday vowed that the authorities will get to the bottom of the  Regent Street petrol station bombing on Sunday that claimed the life of a six-year-old girl and injured others.

However, the President cautioned citizens about discriminating against immigrants noting that all should not be negatively labelled for the criminal actions of a few.

“We will guard our borders. We will protect our people. Will preserve our peace, and we will do so with resolve,” Ali yesterday told a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) church service to launch the army’s 60th anniversary celebrations.

And with still no clear motive established for last week Sunday’s bombing at the Mobil petrol station on Regent Street that killed six-year-old Soraya Bourne, Ali vowed that authorities would get to the bottom of the case and lamented that the threat to peace can be unpredictable and at times senseless.

“It is within this context that we must pause to condemn in the strongest possible terms, the recent horrific attack on the petrol station on Regent Street, right here in the heart of our capital city. That cowardly act which claimed the life of an innocent child, was a vile assault on the people, an attempt to create harm and fear, and our nation mourns with the family of the young life lost. This attack bore all the hallmarks of terrorism. It was an attempt to sow fear and chaos, to destabilise, to create tension, and we will get to the bottom of it.”

He went on, “But let it be known here and now that we will not be intimidated. We will not bow. We will not be broken. I wish to commend the swift and coordinated response of our law enforcement authorities and the joint services, including the Guyana Defence Force, the professionalism and res-ponse reminds us that in the face of evil, Guyana stands united and unshaken. The investigation will continue. The motives behind this heinous act will come to light. We will pursue justice relentlessly, and will take every lawful measure to protect our people and deter those who may contemplate similar actions. We are going deep, broad, and hard to the bottom of this,”

And to those cowardly persons who believe they can strike fear into the hearts of Guyanese, the President had this message. “I say this: You will fail. You will fail because the spirit of our people cannot be terrorised. You will fail because we are one nation, resolute and indivisible. You will fail because our law enforcement agencies will ensure that peace will prevail!” adding, “The safety and security of our citizens are paramount. This is non-negotiable.” 

Wisdom

Venezuelan national Daniel Peodomo and eight others are in custody in connection with the bombing incident.

The President stated that even as authorities respond “to these acts with firmness, we must do so with wisdom … We must not allow or justify the outrage to lead us down a path of prejudice or discrimination. Guyana has long been a land where immigrants come from fleeing hardship and torment. They came seeking refuge, not to endanger it. Yes, we must strengthen our systems in monitoring, screening and enforcement, which we are doing and will continue to do. We must ensure that those who enter our country do so in accordance with our laws and with respect for our peace, but let us not succumb to the temptation to paint all immigrants with the same brush.”

Ali underscored that “Hatred is not the answer to hatred. Fear must not drive our national policy.” He assured that this country will remain a compassionate nation, but one that is also vigilant, strong, and aggressive in the protection of its citizens and sovereignty.

The GDF, he noted, will continue to play a vital role in maintaining this balance.

“We will continue to support our law enforcement agencies in upholding law and order, ensuring that Guyana remains a society of peace, stability and justice, because a nation that is at peace within sends a powerful message to the world outside. A nation united in purpose and spirit, becomes an immovable pillar against those who may seek to exploit international divisions, or regional instability for their own dark designs.”

Reflected in Parliament

And for the first time confirming that Manzoor Nadir will be returning as Speaker of the National Assembly, he expressed the wish that as he presides, that he should ensure that “unity and strength of a nation must be reflected in what comes out of our parliament.”

For his government’s part, Ali said that the government will continue to give the GDF the necessary support to ensure that its service personnel are able to compete within the evolving global landscape.

“The GDF is evolving, is being reshaped, retooled, and re-energised to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world. We are building a more agile, capable and technologically proficient force, one that can respond swiftly and effectively to modern threats, both traditional and unconventional. Our soldiers are being equipped with new skills, modern resources and enhanced training to carry out their duties with even greater precision and professionalism…,” he remarked.

“We’re investing in leadership development today. I’m proud to say that the leadership of the Guyana Defence Force, our senior officers, they are respected across the world. They are known by their names, and they are honoured by their names, and their names are a representation of the Guyana Defence Force. We are strengthening our air and maritime capacities. We’re expanding our ability to respond to disasters, assist in national emergencies and contribute to regional stability. We are building a Guyana Defence Force, modernising a force in which a soldier must know that they have a reward in life long after they leave the Guyana Defence Force,” he added.