THE DONALD WAS THERE

Oct 07, 2008 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

When it first happened, I was tempted to raise it in these columns. However, I presumed then that there must have been some good reason why it took place, and I gave the benefit of the doubt to the Government.

But when I noticed the same thing happening for the second time, alarm bells went off, and I said it is now necessary to ask for an explanation.

A short while ago, the Ministry of Agriculture opened an aquaculture hatchery. This was a Government project. At the opening were the Minister of Agriculture and The Donald.

This worried me, because I wondered what The Donald was doing at a Government event. After all, I am not aware that he works with the Ministry of Agriculture or, for that matter, holds any Government position.

I was worried about the publicity given to his presence at that opening, since I did not think that it was wise for a political party functionary to have such a featured presence at a Government event.

I, however, concluded that The Donald’s attendance may have been purely by invitation, and therefore you cannot blame the man if he was invited and accepted the invitation.

But, then, I asked myself why would the Ministry of Agriculture invite The Donald? I gave the matter some thought and concluded that perhaps it had to do with the fact that the hatchery was being named after the former Minister of Agriculture, Satyadeow Sawh, and since he was a comrade of The Donald, this relationship may have been the basis for the invitation.

I did note that, some two years ago, the Ministry of Agriculture personnel organised a memorial service for their slain minister and a number of political figures were invited.

There is nothing wrong with this, and one can hardly blame a political figure for accepting an invitation to a memorial service.

Then it happened again. This time, the event was the opening of a packaging facility at Parika. Again, The Donald was invited, for what reason I do not know.

But even more interesting was the fact that, not only was he seated at the head table, but he was also given the opportunity to address the opening.

Again, I cannot blame The Donald for accepting this invitation. But what I need the Ministry of Agriculture to explain is why is there this policy of having specifically The Donald, a top PPP leader, feature again so prominently at a Government function.

I hope the Ministry of Agriculture can explain this, because what is happening is extremely worrying.
These things are happening, of course, at the same time that there is speculation that The Donald will be the PPP’s choice as its presidential candidate for the 2011 elections.

Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture has to be mindful that it could expose itself to criticisms that it is using these events to promote the candidacy of The Donald. I am sure this is not the case, and therefore this invitation requires some explanation.

The Donald is one of the most decent human beings that you can find, and I am sure that when he reads this, he will be more circumspect in accepting invitations to Government events.

I am sure that he is cognizant about the image these two events can paint about his party, and thus he should be more selective in accepting invitations to sit at the head table and to speak at Government events.
These two incidents are not the only ones causing worry to me.

Again, I will repeat that the PPP ought not to be using State property to execute party events, except where it is paying a rental for such use. The PPP itself, while in opposition, has had a bad experience with party paramountcy, and I am sure it does not wish to be so labelled.

Last Sunday, the party advertised an event to be held at State House. When this event first started under Cheddi Jagan, it was to commemorate the anniversary of the October 5 free and fair elections which restored democracy to Guyana.

I may be wrong, but I do not think that the party had much to do with the organisation of the event in those days. However, in recent years, the PPP has not been hiding the fact that it is behind the Fun Days held at State House. This is unacceptable.

The PPP should not be using the home of the President to host a party event. It constitutes an abuse of power, and the Office of the President should intervene and put a stop to the use of State House for a party event.

The PPP must understand that it has to begin to do things the right way, because the more it allows what may seem as small deviations from fundamental principles, the greater the risk of greater abuses taking place.

Latest News

THE DONALD WAS THERE

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 17th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

St. Lucia’s Elite Blazers takes aim at FIBA 3×3 World Tour in...

Petra/Milo U18 Football kicks off Round II action...

Track and Field clubs demand nullification of AAG...

Joint Statement from WIPA and CWI on Athlete...

RCNA launches Childhood Obesity Prevention...

FL Sport donates stumps to Meten-Meer-Zorg...

Features/Columnists

Following one’s conscience rather than the crowd

If Guyana’s President Ali is the “Zelensky of the Caribbean”, who is the Putin?

New beginning, or beginning of a nightmare?

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

THE DONALD WAS THERE

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 17th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]