Blame the prime minister

“Crime and bad lives are the measure of a State’s failure…” — HG Wells

The nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is at a very ugly and frightening stage in relation to crime and violence. This is not the SVG any of us want to live in. It is time we “call a spade a spade”. Let us put the blame where the blame needs to be! And that is right at the feet of Prime Minister Ralph E. Gonsalves.  Yes! With no remorse, I am charging the prime minister, who is also, is the minister of national security, with responsibility for the crime and violence situation in SVG. Below are the grounds for the charges brought against the prime minister.

Firstly, national security is a key function of any government in every country worldwide. The goal of every government should be to prevent societal disruption brought on by crisis or calamity. (Journal of Defence Management 22).

Critically, let us look at the state of national security in SVG over the last five years. Is it fair to say that we have a crisis or a calamity on our hands? With the recent annual record-breaking crime statistics, and our podium position in regards to countries with the highest crimes per capita, is it “playing politics” if one decides to brand the government and the Minister of National Security a “disgrace”?

Educationally, for those of you who might have agreed that I am playing politics with my opinion, let me remind you of some key information:

Responsibility of the Minister of National Security:

The Minister of National Security was voted into office by the citizens with the responsibility to contribute towards creating a safe and secure SVG. Such a task ought to be carried out by the effective enforcement of law, order and maintenance of secure borders. In addition, the ministry is tasked with the maintenance of protection of its citizens against internal and external threats, the safety of SVG’s borders and the punishment and rehabilitation of offenders (criminals).

Functions of Minister of National Security:

The ministry exists to formulate, coordinate, monitor and evaluate the implementation of security and intelligence policies through the deployment of skilled human resources and modern technology for stakeholders to enhance security, freedom of citizens and national development. — (Wikipedia).

Essentially, the Ministry of National Security has a mandate to promote political tolerance, stability, security and peace for the nation and its citizens. Also, the ministry is mandated to formulate, implement, coordinate, monitor and evaluate government policies and programmes involving national security.

Now, let us use the knowledge above and carry out an appraisal report on the Ministry of National Security and the government of SVG over the last fie years. Are you bold enough as a Vincentian at home or in the diaspora to stick your hand up and say that the government and Minister of National Security have been doing a great job in carrying out their functions and responsibilities and that they are not guilty of all charges?

Sadly, I cannot do such. Within the last five years, I have never been more afraid of living in the land of my birth. SVG is now one of the top three most dangerous places on earth and we are only just over 110,000 strong. Isn’t that something that points towards a failing government and more so Ministry of National Security?

Furthermore, my findings after carrying out my own appraisal report on the focused organisations include the following: 

1. The government and Ministry of National Security in SVG, continue to fail to deliver in a timely manner resources to the government institutions and appropriate agencies responsible for crime fighting. This, in turn, impacts the effectiveness and efficiency of such institutions to advance the safety, wellbeing and economic prosperity of the citizenry.

• The government and the Ministry of National Security continue to fail to provide 24-hour protection to the general public.

• The focused organisations continue to fail to take robust and effective actions to eliminate the elements of crime, violence and drug trafficking. 

• They continue to fail to provide a good communication network among all government officials (opposition party included) and government security agencies.

In summary, both organisations have failed to advance national development by creating a safer and more secure society through enhanced collaboration among all stakeholders. They both continue to offer a lack of integrity, and a complete disregard for basic national security and the patriotic interest of the country.

In essence, they continue to fail to reach the pinnacle of public safety and security delivery and are guilty of all charges laid. These charges should also be brought against all stakeholders (churches, police force, you and I) who continue to enable such failures to be perpetrated. Yes! You are just as guilty as the ones with the primary responsibility. Crime and violence is your business as well as mine. However, the greater responsibility falls on the laps of the ones that were employed by our votes to protect, secure and serve the nation.

Troy Prince

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