Pres. Granger orders inquiry into Friendship crash
─ H.E offers condolences to families of accident victims
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, October 15, 2019
“Let me assure that the government and the security forces will ensure that the findings and recommendations of this commission of inquiry are fully and rigorously implemented,” stated His Excellency President David Granger, on Tuesday evening.
Through a video message to the nation, the Head of State said he has instructed the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to conduct a full inquiry into the Tuesday morning’s accident.
“I would like you to know that this shocking event will be thoroughly investigated.”
“Within two hours I directed the Acting Commissioner of Police, Mr. Nigel Hoppie to launch an inquiry headed by a person no lower in rank than the Deputy Commissioner, to determine how such an accident could have occurred,” he said.
The Head of State also offered his condolences to the families of those who perished in the tragic accident.
“Our sympathy goes out to them,” imparted President Granger.
“We will ensure that if there was any error, any mistake, any wrongdoing. We will ensure that there will be no further event like this in the history of the Guyana Police Force or the Guyana Defense Force. It is extremely sad, extremely disturbing.”
Repeating that he was deeply saddened by the incident, President Granger again assured Guyanese that whatever the causes of the accident, the Government of Guyana, the administration of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and Guyana Defense Force (GDF), the Cabinet and the National Security Committee, were briefed about the events this morning, and will take every step to make sure that the roads are used safely by all members of the security forces.
“That regulations, standing procedures, dependents, careful selection of drivers, training of drivers all these measures are put in place so we don’t have a recurrence of these tragic events,” His Excellency stated.
Five persons identified as; Presidential Guard Roneel Barker, Herbert and Denise Josiah, Special Constable Lovern Stoby and GDF Sergeant (Hire Car Driver) Leon Tucker were killed in Tuesday’s collision between a police car and civilian vehicle.
His Excellency, who was on his way down on the East Bank Highway shortly after the accident, stopped to get a first-hand look at the collision.