Peeping Tom – TIMING IS EVERYTHING

Jul 13, 2008 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

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I have grown in admiration of Robert Montgomery Persaud (RMP) ever since he was sworn in as Minister of Agriculture.

I believe that he has brought direction to the agricultural sector, something that was missing in the past.
I like the decisiveness of RMP. I like his approach to the problems of those farmers who were enjoying the fruits of State lands but were not prepared to pay the nominal lease fees that were instituted.

I believe that unless this situation is reversed and farmers understand that they cannot expect to make profits without paying their leases, then things can only but improve in the agricultural sector.

I admire his courage in tackling the mighty within the forestry sector. I disapprove of certain sections of the legislation that was passed to strengthen the Guyana Forestry Commission but I accept that with this new legislation, the groundwork has been laid for improved management of Guyana’s timber resources.

I have admired the Minister’s visibility when it comes to drainage and irrigation and his ability to have the government allocate more resources to his ministry.

I could not believe it when I learnt that the government had decided that instead of the promised Indian government support to build some multi-purpose sporting facilities throughout Guyana, these funds would be diverted to the agricultural sector.

This is a boost for Robert Persaud and to think that all of this is happening even before he has signaled any intention of contesting for the Presidential nominee of his party for the 2011 General Elections.

I would love to see a young man like Robert Persaud at the top. I always feel good when young people go far in politics.

As I have consistently said, both Burnham and Jagan had the great fortune of being exposed to high office at a very young age and this is why they can both be considered as political titans.

Persaud has been given his fair break in life by being handed the all-important agricultural portfolio even though he never had prior ministerial experience.

This shows the sort of regard that the President has in the young man, since to hand him a most critical portfolio in his first outing as a Minister has to be seen as a vote of confidence in his ability.

That ability has never been in doubt. Persaud, whose picture adorns every single day’s newspaper, has been able to capture the public’s imagination by his forcefulness and self-confidence on the job and as he showed during the clearing of the backlands at Buxton, he is no political pushover either.

Despite this enviable record, I would however urge RMP to seriously consider not running for his party’s nomination for the 2011 elections.

I see talent in RMP. But that talent is still raw. It needs to be nurtured and become matured.
He needs to be exposed to a variety of situations and circumstances and to learn from the mistakes that will come his way.

When he would have emerged from that period of incubation, he needs another period where he would gain the necessary experience, something that he needs since he was never a prominent part of the political struggles of the PPP in the long vigil for democracy from 1968 to 1992.

I also think that by the time the 2011 elections come around, the political situation in Guyana would demand a different kind of leader.

For one, given the record of his mentor President Bharrat Jagdeo, it is not going to be propitious for a young person to succeed Jagdeo.

Secondly, I think the Guyanese people have been subject for too long to the politics of immaturity and I think that come 2011, they would opt for persons displaying political experience and wisdom.

In short, I think the Guyanese people will be disposed towards electing a matured candidate.
Robert Persaud should therefore wait his turn. I believe that he is still a very young man and he should stay in the wings of the other leaders of the party and gather the necessary political experience.

He should try to continue to do a fine job within the agricultural sector and to distinguish himself as both a minister and a Member of Parliament.

By the time 2016 comes around he should have gained sufficient experience to be seen as a seasoned politician.

When he becomes such a politician he would better understand how timing is everything.
Robert Persaud has a bright future ahead. I would allow him another ten years as a minister, a position, I feel he cannot be dislodged from so long as he does not challenge for the Presidency.

If on the other hand he makes an unsuccessful bid too early, he could as we would say in Guyana lose corn and husk and may find himself not even a minister. What will he do then?

If, however, he decides to enter the Presidential race for the 2011 elections, I would support Robert even though I feel he may not be fully ready.

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